Recently, when despair was slowly clawing its way in, Jesus’ words—“the very hairs of your head are all numbered”—came to my mind with refreshing clarity.
But then Is God counting your hair? He doesn’t need to. He knows their number already. Now what does that mean? It means that you are his child and everything about you is known to him. He cares.
Often we lose sight of this truth because we focus on our troubles. That is okay if you can do it without feeling despair. But that is not possible because despair comes in when we focus on our problems and not on God.
Jesus spoke those words to reassure you and me that God knows every single detail of our lives. Nothing escapes his attention. You are not forsaken. You are never left alone.
And he spoke about sparrows; those little birds that not many give a second thought to. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:6, 7).”
As he said on another occasion, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father (Matthew 10:29).” If God knows and is keenly aware of even the death of an insignificant sparrow; how much more is he watching over you, his child?
But Jesus says you are worth more than many sparrows. You belong to him. Let not your troubles or sharp, biting words of criticism diminish your worth or your self-esteem or your dignity. For God values you. And nobody can steal that from you.
But then his promise to look after you is not just for the moment. For God promised, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:4).”
In today’s world of job losses, layoffs, financial insecurity, increasing mental health issues, fear, anxiety, and worry; focus on God and his promises. His word is true and he is faithful to fulfil what he has promised you.
So the next time anxiety or despair hits you, look at the mirror. God knows the number of hairs on your head. So trust in his care for you and as King David wrote: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall (Psalm 55 22).”
God cares for you. Let the hairs on your head and the sparrows that you see remind you of that comforting truth.
Read this article God’s Care for You also on LinkedIn
Scripture quotes from Bible New International Version 1984.
Featured image courtesy: Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels | Pixir
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