*Martha (Luke 10:41) “thou art careful and troubled about many things”

Martha was burdened by service and ministry. She allowed the cares of life to come between her and the Savior.

*Moses (Ex. 3:11) “Who am I…”

Moses suffered from fear of his calling, personal doubts, and insecurity. He feared failure and reprisal. He dreaded to face Pharoah.

*Elijah (1 Kings 19:4) Elijah sat down under a tree and requested that he might die.

Elijah feared for his life at the hand of the wicked Jezebel. He was distressed by the words she had directed at him and which were no doubt repeated to him by others. He also suffered weariness of the flesh.

*King David (Psa. 42 & 43) “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?”

David endured fear resulting from the circumstances of life. He experienced frequent troubles and trials. He suffered trouble on repeat.

*Jonah (Jonah 4:3) “take… my life from me…”

Jonah was disappointed by God’s will for his life. God’s plan for the people of Nineveh did not please Jonah.

*Job (Job 3) “Let the day perish wherein I was born…”

Job was traumatized by catastrophic loss.

Can you identify with any of these worries or fears? Because we experience trials, troubles, challenges, circumstances, and losses, we are prone to the same worries and anxieties as these men and women who were given for our example. Matthew 6 instructs us at least five times to “Take no (anxious) thought.”

We have considered the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not toil about with endless worry spinning them in silly circles. We have reminded ourselves that our flesh is as grass, but eternal security is found in the Living Word. Today, let’s “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matt. 6:33.

Think of the mighty eagle and the delicate hummingbird- both are fowls of the air. Picture the brilliant feathers of the peacock strutting in the green grass and the startling red of the cardinal set against the winter’s snow. They do not plant fields or dig wells; they cannot store up extra supplies for winter. God simply provides all they need and directs their path to a place of security. How much more does our Father delight in sustaining His obedient children?!

God used a bird of the sky to feed his prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17). In Psalm 37, He promises to provide for the righteous.

God used a dove to carry a message of hope to Noah (Gen. 8:11). We have been given the hope of the resurrection. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” 1 Pet. 1:3.

Jesus comforted His disciples with the illustration of a sparrow. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” Matt. 10:29-31.

Finally, even the amateur bird enthusiast recognizes that not only did our Heavenly Father exhibit amazing colors and variety through the birds of the sky, but He also gave them each a song. The dove coos, the robin chirps, the sparrow sings! There is a song of the saints as well. He has given us a song in the night. He has given us a song of praise, an excellent antidote to discouragement. He has given us a song of victory! Praise the Lord! “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” Psa. 119:54.