I’m sure that children everywhere enjoy seeing wildlife as they travel through the countryside. The Stanley family is no different. Dad, Mom and the three children were driving home from a trip and were talking about all of God’s beautiful creatures they had seen. There were mountain sheep, deer, elk and even an eagle. This had been an interesting vacation.
Suddenly Dad said, “I think we just missed the turn that takes us to our town.” They were still three hours from home and were anxious to get there after a long day of driving.
Dad checked the map and decided they could still get home on back roads instead of turning around to go back to the main highway. Although slower, it was a nice drive through rolling hills and farmland.
“Oh, look! I think those are buffalo,” shouted seven-year-old Albert as they came to the top of a hill. Dad pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car so they could get a better look at them. A large herd of buffalo was grazing close to a barbed wire fence. Electric fence wire also surrounded them.
Rolling down the car window, they could all hear horns clashing together as two of the great animals lowered their heads and charged at one another. What a sight! They watched for quite a while, glad for the strong fence between them and the buffalo. Their huge shaggy heads and humped backs, together with the sharp, curved horns, made the beasts look powerful and scary.
Dad started the car and was ready to go on when the Stanley family saw two birds dart over the fence toward the buffalo herd. One was a little sparrow and it was being chased by a sparrow hawk. They swooped and circled around with amazing speed. Suddenly, the small sparrow dove down and landed at the feet of a buffalo. The hawk flew off; its prey was unreachable now. The tired, helpless little bird had found a refuge, a safe hiding place, at the foot of a powerful animal that could have crushed it instantly.
As they drove off, the Stanleys talked of what they had just watched. The helpless sparrow being chased by its enemy, a sparrow hawk, was like a sinner, doomed to die because of his sins. The buffalo was a little picture of the strong refuge that a sinner can find in the Saviour of sinners. The Lord Jesus can “save them to the uttermost [completely] that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and is now the refuge from God’s judgment for any who will trust in Him. “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Psalm 91:22I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2).
“Maybe God ordered for us to miss the highway so we would see those buffalo,” said Albert.
“He may also have shown us the birds,” added Mom and Dad. God often uses His wonderful creation to teach us about His power and His love.
We also learn from His Word, the Bible, that God cares about such common little birds as sparrows. If He watches over them, how much more does He watch over us? “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing [a few cents]? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [knowing]. . . . Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29,3129Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29)
31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31).
Are you going to turn your back on His love and the refuge He has provided for your soul? Why not trust in Jesus as your Saviour today? You can then rely on His protection and care throughout your life. “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.” Proverbs 14:2626In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26).
ML-08/21/1994