OBSERVANT CHILDREN

By this time of the year there will have been much fresh activity amongst all the wayside creatures and new life given to take the place of creatures that have died. You might see, as Jesus evidently had seen, a family of little, fluffy chickens being gathered under the wings of the mother-bird. Jesus even wept because His people would not come to Him for salvation in the same way. Do not be put to shame by a brood of little chicks! Some travellers, after a forest fire, were surprised to see a brood run out from under a burnt henbird which had endured the heat to protect them. This shows perhaps better than words how the love of Jesus led Him to die so as to save us from judgment.

Scripture shows that God takes a tender interest in the youngest of His creatures. Even a bird's nest with eggs or fledglings was protected under the Law given through Moses. It is also of interest that this followed immediately after the commandment that a woman must not dress as a man, nor a man as a woman. Thus we must learn in detail what is displeasing to God as well as what is pleasing to Him.

Psalm 84 reminds us that a "house" is made for the sparrow, the commonest and perhaps the least valuable of birds. The Lord Jesus said that not even one of these is forgotten before God. The swallow, probably among the most restless of birds, finds "a nest for herself where she layeth her young". It is said that similar birds fly all day and into the night in search of food.

A young animal which became of use to the Lord was the colt, the foal of an ass. Although well cared for, it had been kept tied up to protect it from harm. More important still this means that the colt was just where Jesus could call for it to ride upon in His entry to Jerusalem. Do you not think that it is a great honour to be ready for His use?

J.C.Evershed