Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar. (Ps. 84:3)
A POPULAR VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS a pick-up, with a young woman in the truck bed, backing up to a dumpster. Suddenly, you see a black bear in the background, keeping her distance, but ready to attack the woman.
The woman then gently lowers a ladder into the dumpster, and the driver slowly pulls away. Within seconds, the black bear reappears, and four of her cubs use the ladder to climb out of the dumpster. When all her cubs are free, the bear family scampers away.
Most of us know how fierce a mama bear can get if she feels like her cubs are threatened. God is equally fierce when it comes to protecting His children. That doesn’t mean we’ll never experience pain and hardship, but we must never forget that God has a leash on evil, and that the power of darkness can do nothing without His permission. Sometimes He even sends folks with “ladders” so we can climb out of “dumpsters” where we probably had no business being in the first place!
Psalm 84 reminds us that the sparrow, with God’s help, finds a safe place for her young. Even from the animal kingdom, we can see the extent of God’s love for us. Jesus reminded us that a sparrow cannot fall without God’s knowledge (Matt. 10:29). How much more so does He value us as His “cubs”?
Prayerfully consider and thank God for how far He will go to rescue you.
Doug Schmidt is a freelance writer and editor and is on staff with his church as a small-groups coach.
