Who Cares About Sparrows?

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” (Matthew 10:29)

“Casting all your care upon Him (God), for He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7)

Many of us enjoy bird-watching. I would have to say that some of the ones I favor are cardinals, eagles and woodpeckers, not to mention hummingbirds, seagulls and pelicans. But sparrows? Really? It’s just a common every-day kind of bird: not very colorful, majestic or unique. One might say “run-of-the-mill.”

But God cares about birds (remember, He made them)! And more than that, He cares about YOU! In 1905 Civilla Martin wrote a song that Ethel Waters used as the title for her autobiography, and it appears on her tombstone. This song was also performed by Andy Griffith, Whitney Houston, Mahalia Jackson and others. It is entitled, “His Eye is on the Sparrow:”

“Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for Heav’n 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 word 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. 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.”