HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NIV
At the bird feeder we had in our back yard, small sparrows were the first birds to visit each day. Larger birds then arrived and scared the sparrows away – but once the larger birds departed, back the sparrows came. Seeing sparrows always reminds me of a favorite hymn that is not in our hymnal, His Eye is on the Sparrow, based on the passage from Matthew above.
Civilla Martin was married to a Baptist evangelist and traveled with him around the United States. In 1904, Mrs. Martin was inspired to write the words of His Eye is on the Sparrow by a sick friend who expressed hope from the words of Matthew. Charles Gabriel set the words to music two years later.
His Eye is on the Sparrow has three verses which provide a mini-sermon on the hope that God, through His Son Jesus, brings into our lives:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is He;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender words I hear,
And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears,
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Chorus: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, whenever we see birds, particularly sparrows, may we have a song in our hearts. Use the birds to remind us of Your watchful and abundant love, which frees us from our doubts and fears. Amen.
Carol Rice
