By 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).
A couple of weeks ago our family dog passed away. To some, that may not be important. However, if you like animals, you know how attached you become to a pet you have had any length of time. Bear was our pet for fifteen years- an integral part of our family. His passing really made me think of how God values His creation.
The King James version of the Bible says two sparrows were sold for a farthing- which is actually three-eighths of a penny. If two sparrows were only worth that small amount, how much was only one sparrow worth? Yet Jesus said if one sparrow fell to the ground, our Heavenly Father took notice. God cares about a little, insignificant sparrow. I believe God noticed Bear also.
Animals are part of God’s creation, but we are the ultimate of all He created. We are made in His image and created in His likeness- His masterpiece. To Him, there is nothing as precious as we are.
Think about what Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Not counted- numbered! This means that God is so attentive to detail that he even has something that insignificant about us recorded. It is good to know that he cares about every aspect of our lives. This is why Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Certainly, we can take everything to Him in prayer- every little detail concerning our lives.
Did you notice that Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid!” We may ask, “Afraid of what?” He meant we do not have to fear whether or not God values us. God is not going to stop watching out for us and caring about us. We are worth more than many sparrows. In God’s eyes we are priceless!
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 