“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission. Every hair on your head has been counted. Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31, GW).

God recently called my attention to this passage in an unusual way. I was sitting in my backyard having my prayer time. A sound overhead caught my ear and I looked up. There I saw a bird sitting on a branch, commenting expressively about life. Pausing there only briefly, it soon darted into our property. Its focused destination was a nest that a little bird half its size had built. In its beak, the intruder grabbed a piece of the fiber the nest was made of, and took off. Moments later, it appeared again and repeated this action.

I hadn’t realized it, but there was a baby bird

Duration: 365 days

HE KNOWS YOUR NEED

Do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.(Matthew 6:31–32).

Jesus wants his followers to be free from worry. InMatthew 6:25–34, he gives at least seven arguments designed to take away our anxiety. One of them lists food and drink and clothing, and then says, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:32).

Jesus must mean that God’sknowingis accompanied by hisdesiringto meet our need. He is emphasizing we have a Father. And this Father is better than an earthly father.

I have five children. I love to meet their needs. But my knowing falls short of God’s in at least three…