Chickadees And Persecution

One day this spring, before “leaf-out day,” I was blessed to capture these chickadees preparing their nests for the next generation! They pecked quite a series of holes in these Birch trees. I watched in awe as these little birds worked, flying in and out more times than I could count. They worked and God provided the materials to get it done with only the cost of labor. As I delighted in the demonstration of God’s beauty, love, faithfulness and creativity, I was reminded of Jesus talking about God providing for us…so I looked it up. I was surprised to see it in context:

Have No Fear

Matthew 10:26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

So often these verses are used to encourage us in “simple” needs. I was struck by the way these amazing promises of God’s love and care of us are sandwiched between the command to not be afraid of persecution on one side and our need to have unwavering dedication to God in the face of that persecution. Great promises in disturbing context.

My first pass at this post was to use those promises without the context, making this a “cute” and “light” topic as we enjoy the photos of God’s creation. But I could not do that in light of our world today. The full context in Matthew 10 is one of violence and choice!

As our culture continues to shift, we will have more and more choices to make. Will we choose to please people, by going with the flow of the changing culture that denies God and His word? Or will we choose to please the one who made us by depending on Him to help us demonstrate sacrificial love instead of responding in anger, pain and hate?

Yes, we have to choose whether to blend in with the culture around us or stand for God. Choosing to stand for God will cost at times, but God promises to provide for us…like he does daily for the sparrows and the chickadees.
Today in my current life of ease I choose to follow my loving Creator. Today, I pray to stand with Him when it is not so easy, knowing I can not do it without Him fulfilling these promises, because I know if I am left with my power alone, I am weak. I hope and pray I remain faithful. I cling to His words:

“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows! [And many Chickadees!] …everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,”

I bless you with the knowledge that you are loved and valued by our Creator. You were born with a destiny to be a light to the world. You exist to allow God to love you, and love you, and love you, then love you some more! And when you are saturated with that perfect, unconditional love, you can let it overflow to others…in all circumstances. I bless you with the strength and courage to choose to stand in truth, grace and love in good times and hard times. Because Abba values you more than many chickadees!

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Optional reading. Matthew 10:16ff fear not. . .

Here is a fuller context to the sparrow verses. Pretty? not exactly. Inviting? Not exactly. Hard to hear? Yes. Ask Holy Spirit to breathe on you if you choose to read it. And FEAR NOT! Persecution Will Come.