Birds Don't Worry; Why Should We?

My friend Mary is passionate about birds. She caringly maintains several feeders that decorate her backyard and trees. Beyond her kitchen window each morning, birdsong fills the air. It’s fun to watch as sparrows and cardinals squabble with the blue jays and crows over their share of the food. For when the big bullies have had their fill, the little birds come to dine.

The hummingbirds, though, get special attention. Mary boils water and adds just the right amount of sugar to meet their dietary needs. She also maintains their feeder by washing and sterilizing it frequently. None of these birds make demands for better seed or for more variety in the menu. They seem content to count on the loving, daily attentiveness of their watchful caretaker.

But suppose Mary would become ill or go away for several days? Would panic arise in the bird kingdom? Would the feathered creatures hold a conference to determine who would feed them or who would provide?

Our Daily Concerns

Although we smile at that silly scenario, we often find ourselves filled with concern over daily needs for food, clothing, housing. We are anxious about so many issues. That’s why Jesus portrayed His Father’s care of the birds to teach us a powerful lesson on worry. In Matthew 6:26 He instructed His disciples not to worry about their daily necessities because life consists of much more than these matters.

Why did Jesus specifically mention these three concerns? Just take a look at the world’s focus. In Jesus’ day, those with beautiful clothes, golden jewelry, and abundant wealth dominated the minds and attentions of many (see James 2: 2-4). Similarly, today’s social media, magazines, advertisements, and films often convince us that we, too, need more than God can be trusted to provide. Yet Jesus persisted, “‘Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them’” (Matthew 6:26).

When Mary’s boys were growing up, it would have been inconceivable that she would have allowed her sons to fend for themselves while she cared only for the birds’ daily needs. So it is with our Heavenly Father. Jesus makes the point to His disciples that it is not the bird’s feathered father that provides for them, but rather it is their Heavenly Father who does.The animals, birds, and nature in general are provided for by God’s providence. However, He is not a Father to them. Jesus makes this point by asking, “‘Are you not of much more value than they?’”

Those of More Value

As leader’s wives, we can find much to be anxious about, can’t we? Is my home adequate for entertaining guests? Do my clothes measure up to the women I lead? Can I offer a simple dinner instead of a gourmet meal? Will my husband’s clients, employees, or congregation follow his leadership? Will we have enough money to cover expenses? The list of concerns is endless.

More than any other expression, Jesus encouraged His followers to “fear not.” Don’t be afraid! Don’t be anxious! He said it often, but still we can miss the significance of it. Because He lived among us for thirty-three years, His intimate knowledge of our human frailty fills Him with understanding and compassion. We note that many of our fears are about the future, but Jesus says, don’t worry about tomorrow—trust Me!

Of course, some of our fears do come to pass as Job lamented, “The thing I feared the most has come upon me” (Job 3:25). But worrying about loss or distress beforehand only increases our anxieties concerning events that probably will never happen. Moreover, if trials do come, God provides His all-sufficient grace in our hour of need (2 Corinthians 12:9). Ultimately, our fears reveal a lack of faith in the promises of God, so remember that He assures us of His presence through all of life’s sufferings. He will never leave us nor forsake us—He always keeps His word.

How do we learn to trust the Lord more? By seeking Him in prayer and by immersing ourselves in God’s most precious Word. As the Psalmist assures us, it will revive our souls, make us wise, rejoice our hearts, and enlighten our eyes. This is where our comfort lies, where our fears are met, where we find help for our small faith—in the holy presence of our Abba Father.

Our Diligence, His Provision

An early English proverb says, “The early bird catcheth the worm.” Note that although God provides food for them, the birds are not idle but are up early each morning to search for it. So we must also be diligent to plan, working hard to provide for ourselves, for our families, for those in need while trusting our Father to meet every necessity.

Matthew Henry reminds us that, "the birds make no provision for the future themselves, and yet every day, as duly as the day comes, provision is made for them, and their eyes wait on God, that great and good Housekeeper, who provides food for all flesh."

A friend has a plaque in her home that reads, “Gratitude makes what we have enough.” Therefore, let our praise and trust in our Father’s goodness and provision be the determined step to begin each new day. It will seem as sweet as birdsong, which brings much peace and joy to the early morning sunrise.