The 65 species of long-winged plovers, in a wide variety of colors and sizes, live throughout the world. Most of these birds are found near lakes or oceans where they find food along the beaches. It is interesting to watch them. They run fast and then abruptly stop for a bit of food, or they follow an outgoing wave, looking for bits of sea life left behind, but then scoot rapidly back before the next wave catches them.
Plovers build their nests on beaches, scraping out saucer-shaped hollows in the sand or gravel. The spotted eggs, the nests and even the birds themselves blend in with their surroundings so well a person could pass close by without seeing them. This protection is just one of the benefits provided by their Creator.
An interesting species is the Egyptian plover. In the oppressive heat of summer, the mother bird carries water in her beak, trip after trip, to dampen the young ones and keep them cool. This is the same plover that hops into a crocodile’s open mouth to pick food particles from its teeth, and the crocodile never harms the bird. Who do you think taught them these things?
But it is the golden plover that is one of the world’s greatest travelers. In spring it nests and raises its young in the far north on the shores of the Aleutians and the Bering Sea. When the little ones are able to care for themselves, the parents leave them, taking off on a nonstop 2500-mile flight to Hawaii without the help of a map or compass. They also fly that great distance without eating, drinking or stopping to rest. What amazing strength the Creator has given them!
But even more amazing, their young ones, left behind to mature, take off a few weeks later on the same trip with no parents to show them the way. Their Guide, who was the same One who guided their parents, is the very God who created them and provides strength and guidance for them to make it safely to their journey’s end. Like their parents, after resting a few weeks in Hawaii they then fly southeast to South America and other places in the South Pacific to spend the winter. The following spring they fly north along the eastern shores of the Pacific Ocean to their former nesting grounds, completing a round trip of about 8000 miles!
The opening Bible verse informs us that the Lord Jesus wants to be your Guide and strength too. Psalm 32:88I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8) also says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Are you asking Him to guide you through your life? Following His directions is the only safe and happy way.
JUNE 13, 1999
ML-06/13/1999