Series: God in the Everyday - The Book of Ruth
February 02, 2020 | Pastor Chris Riedel
Passage: Ruth 3:1-18
Scripture:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. -Matthew 10: 29-31 NRSV
Devotional:
Not Even a Sparrow
My husband absolutely loves birds. When we are out walking on a fall or spring day, he will listen to the sound of a bird and can easily identify the type of bird. He can even mimic the sound of the bird! Now, in my younger years, I was never too impressed with his skill in the bird department. Many times I would walk beside him and roll my eyes and purposely not even look up to see the bird because I felt it was a largely unimportant activity.
However, I have grown to realize what a great gift he has in identifying birds by the sound they make. I became more appreciative of this when I began to study more deeply God's act of creation and how God views His creation. God knows the movement of every sparrow and not even a sparrow can go unnoticed by God. How much more valuable to God are we? What does this story of a sparrow have to do with our sermon series on Ruth?
As I hear and see this story unfold I am reminded of God's great love for us and for the ways humans are placed in situations that can bring about the wellbeing of others. God placed Boaz in the path of Ruth and Naomi. To me, Boaz shines great light in this story. Here he is simply caring for his land and his workers, and without warning or preparation there is a need for the hungry to be fed, thus, he creates a space to feed the hungry. Boaz is full of generosity and loyalty to the needs God has placed before him. This is a story that closes a gap between God's great purposes and will for humanity and between human circumstances and decision making. With our open hearts and willingness to participate in the greater story, God uses our faithfulness to bring redemption to others. And so, back to bird sounds and the sparrow for a moment.
The song I have had on my mind since we began the story of Naomi and Ruth is called "His Eye is on the Sparrow." The lyrics remind me of how desperate Naomi and Ruth were. These women had lost everything in a world that could be unforgiving and particularly not so concerned about two women. Yet, Ruth and Naomi persevered and even made decisions that involved great risk.
Let not your heart be troubled. His tender word I hear.
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fear.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Not even one sparrow can fall to the ground without our great God knowing. How much more does God care for you and for me? Let's be generous to those in need and let us be loyal to the God who does not let one sparrow fall to the ground. And for what it is worth, I look up when my husband points to a bird in the air and I also listen more intently to the sound they make. If God cares so deeply for even the sparrow, then so should I.
Prayer:
Holy God, thank You for loving us so much that we are always within Your sight. May we be empowered through the work of the Holy Spirit to live faithful lives of compassion for all living things, for this is Your good kingdom work. Amen.
Written by Tianna Durbin. Tianna is the Minister of Worship and Arts at Arcola Church.She enjoys keeping up with worship and arts while also keeping her commitment to continue regularly studying the Word of God. Outside her work at Arcola she and her husband Chris stay busy keeping up with their two teenagers, Kayla and Jake.
