Songs of Faith Devotion #1 – His Eye Is On the Sparrow

Scripture: “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?” – Matthew 6:26

Examination of song: This lyrics of this song were written by Civilla D. Martin, the wife of an evangelist. She and her husband had met a Christian couple, the Doolittles, who served as inspiration for this song. Mr. Doolittle was confined to a wheelchair, and his wife had been bedridden for over two decades, yet they radiated joy and peace in their lives that spilled over into others. During one visit, Mr. Martin asked how they held on to their faith in spite of all the challenges they faced each day, and Mrs. Doolittle simply said, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” That became the inspiration for the words to this song.

Application: In 2001, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a very difficult time, but the verses in Matthew 10:29-31 gave me the assurance that God was with me throughout every doctor visit and each radiation and chemotherapy session. Each time I saw a sparrow hopping around in the hospital parking lot, I reflected on these verses. Each time I saw a sparrow on the bushes in my yard, I was reminded of how much God cares for me.

Every time fear crept into my being, His sweet Spirit would remind me, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3). Each appearance of that little bird was a feathered reminder of the truth of Scripture. Psalm 23:4 states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  For me, that valley was a chemotherapy room, but God was with me every time. His presence was real.

Joshua 1:9 states, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” The reality is that God, who willingly died in my place and paid for my sins with His own precious blood, is a God who truly loves me and cares about me. There is no doubt, and because of that I am able to face challenges and struggles in life knowing that I have a heavenly Father who is with me every moment of every day, and like Mrs. Doolittle, I can sing, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!”

Memory Verse: “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31

Stretching your thoughts:

1. In what situations has God provided comfort and peace when you were fearful?

2. What verses gave you the assurance you needed?

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy—
I sing because I’m free—
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

(from “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” by Civilla D. Martin)