The Wonders of God’s Creation
How pleasant it is to think that God is aware of even a small, coon bird as the sparrow. But everything, no matter how small or great, is of concern to Him whose eye is on all living things. If He lets His eye rest on a sparrow, how much more does He look on us of whom He says: “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
This drab little bird is known as the “House Sparrow” and enjoys making its nest around houses, barns, or other buildings. It is also called the “English Sparrow,” since Britishers brought them to America in 1850.
Although sparrows seem to enjoy hopping about on paved streets and sidewalks, they actually prefer living in brush beside cultivated fields. There they find food in the form of seeds or caterpillars or insects.
Scientists have been able to show that young sparrows’ food has to be at least seventy percent bugs and insects. As they grow, the amount of “living food” drops to only three percent, while adult sparrows feed almost entirely on seeds. Since the parents must feed the little ones until they mature, how do they know the babies need a diet so different from their own? Certainly they have learned this from God, the One who created and watches over them.
The sparrow does not look like much, but it does have some amazing features. For instance, its vision is far superior to the human eye. Flying swiftly over the ground, it can spot and stop for a seed on a grass stem. It apparently can also pick out special colors that mean food, even when several plants are growing together. Its eyes, about one fourth the size of a man’s, are large for its body. It can see ahead, to both sides and slightly behind. Thus, while flying, it can keep alert for hawks, buildings, trees or other objects.
Its feathers are complex. There is a central shaft in each feather, called the vane. From this vane there are barbs (branches) all along its surface. Each barb interlocks into its neighbor and provides a strong, tough surface. Special mules turn all or part of the feathers instantly, so its feathers and wings can raise, lower or rotate, all automatically. This provides lift, direction and balance while in flight. In cold weather, additional fuzzy down grows at the base of each feather, providing warmth and insulation.
We can easily see this little bird has been given all necessary provisions for its life by the Creator, of whom it is said: “Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest every living thing.” Psalms 145:1616Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:16). The Psalmist also said: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalms 27:44One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4). It is good to let this desire rule in our hearts and to know Him as our personal Saviour.
ML-09/06/1981