faithfulness of God – Page 2

A male house finch chirped and scolded “That’s mine, so back off!” to a twice-his-size robin who was seeking out a place to nest close to where his mate was settled on eggs. After the robin flew away, he stood as a devoted husband protecting his bride from harm.

My thoughtful husband took a wreath, wrapped more greenery around it, and nailed it up under the eave right outside my office window. A pair of house finches built a nest not inside it but on the top. The female is hidden to the left, but sometimes we can see her head or her tail. 🙂

God’s creation can teach me so much of God’s character if I open my eyes and ears to it. As I watched how jealously this finch guarded his mate, I thought of how sometimes Satan steals away my peace with all his lies and false promises, but he’ll never get past God. He can never knock me out of God’s nest of love, because God stands guard powerfully proclaiming, “She’s mine, so back off!”

As I watch the lives of these finches, I notice the male is not always there. I don’t always see him, but I know he’s always close by. Once in a while he eats at the feeder and then flies off again. Sometimes he sweeps into the nest and his head bobs as he feeds his bride. Other times he stands on the rooftop above the nest and belts out a cheerful melody.

God is like that. He never lets us out of His sight. Never. We can’t always feel Him, but He is with us always. Constantly watching out for us. Sometimes we tune in to His voice and other times we don’t realize He is calling us. And once in a while He swoops in to hold us near, to feed us His promises, and to cheer us on to believe He is always here for us. To remind us we can trust He sees, He hears, He knows.

There was a time in my life that I thought if God is always with me, why did bad things happen to me? If He has infinite power and He cares so much, why didn’t He protect me from so much pain? Is God punishing me for something?

Once in a while those questions still pop up, but now I realize God gives people choices. GOD didn’t hurt me. We live in a sinful world, and a perpetrator chose to harm me. I still don’t always understand why God didn’t keep me safe, but for now I’ll trust He knows why.

I just have to believe there is a purpose in pain. I do know I wouldn’t have such a deep empathy for hurting souls if I hadn’t gone through such pain myself. I think also it has led me deeper into what Jesus has willingly suffered for me all because He loves me so deeply. He was willing to be rejected so I will never be rejected by God. That’s why I know God is still watching out for me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)

I don’t know what you’re feeling right now, but God knows. He sees. He hears. He’s got your back. Like this house finch jealously guarding his bride, God is watching over YOU. I know it doesn’t always feel that way, but He does. You are His bride, His beloved. As a faithful Husband, he cherishes you and watches over you with such love and tenderness.

The same God who created the birds and takes care of them so one feather will not fall without His permission will watch over us, faithfully tending to all our needs.

“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)