His Eye is on the Sparrow

By Donna McMorrow

“How lovely is your dwelling Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart
 and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs;  
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,  till each appears before God in Zion.”

 – Psalm 84:7

In Old Testament times, God’s temple was a safe haven for the many birds that built their nests in and around it. The birds were protected. No one could bother them, scare them away or remove their nests. Even the smallest, most defenseless insignificant bird, the sparrow—which sold two for a penny—had a home at God's altar. Swallows, distinguished for their swiftness in flight and their love of freedom, darted in and out of the temple, building their nests in refuge. The presence of God protected them. These vulnerable creatures were able to find rest in the shadow of His wings.

The writer of Psalm 84, possibly David, watched the tiny sparrows that lived in the house of God. All of the birds’ needs were met. They were fed by the crumbs that fell in the temple courts. Soft scraps of fabric, tufts of lamb’s wool, and bits of straw for their nests were readily available. They had shelter from the summer heat and protection from the winter storms. The temple was a place to gather their young when the day was done. They could rest in safety.

Photo courtesy of Donna McMorrow

Likewise, when we raise our children in the halls of God, we move from strength to strength. Consider the sparrow and let the local church be a home, a shelter from the storm, a sanctuary, and a nest for our little ones. Let's rest, nestle in, and share the joy that comes from loving and serving God together.

"When Jesus is my portion,
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches over me.”
–  Civilla D. Martin, lyricist

Donna McMorrow and her husband have been married for 41 years. She is a retired special education teacher, adoptive parent, cancer survivor and child of the King. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography and painting.

“His Eye Is On The Sparrow” lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group