The Lord God had a definite purpose in making hummingbirds. More important than their attractiveness is their work for certain types of flowering plants. It is amazing to see how God has placed at least one variety close by to meet the special needs of these flowers.
The bird, of course, thinks only of the sweet nectar in the flower, but if the plant could speak it would no doubt be grateful each time the right hummer visits it. The bird's long beak, inserted in the flower right to the bottom, becomes covered with pollen. It unknowingly carries the pollen to another plant of the same kind, accomplishing what is known as cross-pollination which is necessary for the development of seeds. Bees, moths and a few other flying insects help in this work, but the hummingbirds surpass them all.
Their beaks have been specially designed. Some are short and just right for flat flowers, like the half-inch beak of the purple and green thornbill. By contrast, the longest beak of all is that of the sword-bearer. It looks like a five-inch knitting needle and is the only beak that can reach the nectar deep in the Andes passion flower. If there were no sword-bearer hummingbirds there would have been none of these plants after the first season, for nothing else can pollinate them.
The curved beaks of some hummers are interesting. Among these is one called Lucifer, noted for a black beard and dark wings on a beautiful body. Its long beak curves slightly downward just the right amount to reach into the flowers that have exactly the same curve in them. Another with a longer curved beak is the sickle-bill. And an unusual one whose beak curves up is known as the mountain avocet. These are just a few of the more than 400 varieties known in the western world. Perhaps another time we can look at the extraordinary tail features of some of them. With the few we have been able to briefly look at, when you see one now you will understand more fully the wisdom of the One who created them and looks on them with pleasure.
But also think of the even more marvelous ways He has provided for you. A Bible verse states what the Psalmist wanted to see: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psa. 119:1818Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalm 119:18)).
Another verse tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Prov. 1:77The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)).
Do you read the Bible and have you ever thanked the Lord Jesus for giving it to you, so you can know of His love and trust in Him as your Savior? Or does the last part of the verse describe you?