The Sparrow’s Nest

The sparrow’s nest,
God’s haven of rest.

An insignificant little bird
No monetary value yet precious –
In the eyes of the Lord.

We are the sparrows, you and I,
Sheltered by His robe of righteousness
Till we fly away with Him on high.

It matters not where we rest
He is our Rock, our Redeemer–
In Him, we’ve been blest.

The Lord resides with us.
We are His channel of love.
To bless in the name of Jesus.

At the foot of His throne
God, whose eye is on the sparrow
Promises an everlasting home.

–Irene Warpula

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This poem was the inspiration for the devotion that follows it. For years I wondered what the first two lines of the poem meant; the answer came to me in 2002. When I learned that our last name Varpula (there is no ‘w’ in the Finnish language) is derived from Varpunen which is “sparrow” in English, I equated that to the Bible passage that begins the devotion. God is our refuge and resting place. God also inspired the poem. Glory be to God from whom all blessings flow!

Fear Not Little One

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:26-33 ESV).

Prior to this passage, the disciples were being prepped by Jesus for their calling to spread the Good News. His instructions were explicit as to what to take with them, where they were to go, who they were to speak with, all that they were to do and what to do according to how the people would react, even if that reaction was to take them before the authorities. Though they needed to be prepared, it was enough to scare anyone! So, Jesus needed to assure them that His presence and power were with them at all times.

In Matthew 10:29, Jesus says that the sparrows which were bought by the poor for food (their only source of protein) don’t go unnoticed by Him. He knows the needs of both bird and man.

No one is forgotten or goes unnoticed by the Father in heaven. He is the great provider for all our needs. He went so far as to meet all of mankind’s spiritual needs. He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to sacrifice His precious blood to feed the poor in spirit!

God wants everyone to know of salvation through Christ. So, we have been commissioned to carry on the work that the disciples started. In so doing, Christ promises: “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

That is scarier than what any person on earth could do to us. The thought of eternal separation from God should be enough to scare the “hell” out of us. God have mercy on us who are of little faith!

Jesus gave us all a challenge in the Last Supper discourse when he said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another…” (John 13:34-35).

Do you find yourself falling short in showing others true Christian love? Let this prayer for charity encourage you with God’s help to be more thoughtful and compassionate!

Prayer of St Francis (read together)

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not

so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving

that we receive;

it is in pardoning

that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying

that we are born to eternal life.

Francis Bernadone, born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181.