Look at the birds of the air
Hello Bride of Christ,
Do you ever forget the characteristics of the God who created you? I do. I find myself often needing to be reminded of how faithful He is so that I may trust Him. Or needing to be reminded of how He is a man of His word so it is without a doubt that His words will come to pass. My mind is so feeble. So forgetful. Emotions come in and rise up these irrational thoughts, and if I am not careful, result in foolish actions. However, because our God is so loving and knowing He is not taken by surprise by how His creation acts. In fact, He decided to build in constant reminders to all His creation how much He thinks about them and is working on their behalf.
"If a bird's nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; you shall let the mother go, and take the young for yourself, that it may be well with you and you may prolong your days." - Deuteronomy 22: 6-7
In the book of Deuteronomy the Lord recorded all of Moses' farewell addresses to the children of Israel. Moses had led the people out of captivity from Egypt and through the wilderness to the promise land. However, the Lord had told Moses he would not be entering the promise land. As a result, Moses begins to document all the laws as part of his seeing them off to the promise land. In the midst of these instructions Moses writes about a bird's nest. As the apostle Paul noted, "For since the creation of the world His (God's) invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) Moses understood this concept expressed by Paul, that through creation we could see God's characteristics.
So what God attributes did Moses highlight in these Deuteronomy verses?
God values life. Notice the mother bird is not to be taken or harmed in any manner, but is to be left to go on and continue producing life. In return the person found in this situation who obeyed the ordinance and the balance of nature would yield life as well.
God provides. These eggs or young birds may provide this person who happened to come upon them a meal. Interestingly enough the verses before 6 and 7 in this chapter deal with God telling the people to not turn a blind eye to lost possessions (animals and clothing) of their fellow neighbor. So if the children of Israel are practicing being observant surely they will not miss this provision.
God values balance. He tells the person to let the mother go for the sake of their own life. There is sort of an "if" "then" clause in this law. If you let the mother bird go you prolong your life, if you do not you can expect the opposite.
God has a plan. In all the events of life, who knew that God would take time to write a specific plan for a bird's nest and a human encounter. God is so detail oriented that no matter the circumstance you are bound to experience, the Lord has thought of a plan.
Bride of Christ, Jesus even reminded us to look at creation to be reminded of God's attributes; for in Matthew chapter 6 Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) In an encouragement to not worry, but remember God provides always even to the helpless birds; we are yet again reminded to look. Slow down today and look! Look at the bird's nest up in a tree, in your yard, or hidden on the ground between your bushes. Observe the carefree flight of a bird. Open your eyes and see your God! He values your life. He provides for you. He is balancing everything for you. He has a plan for you. Then as a carefree bird may you " Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints." (Psalm 149:1)
