Devotion 10 September 2026

Lord who rules over all, even the sparrow has found a home near your altar. My King and my God, the swallow also has a nest there, where she may have her young. Ps 84: 3

READING: Psalm 84

If there is one type of bird that we just take for granted without actually noticing it, it must be the sparrow. Almost all over the world, sparrows are two-a-penny, defined by their commonness. We tend to regard common species poorly, if at all. Being common is, if not quite a sin, a kind of vulgarity from which we would rather look away. Common species are, almost by definition, a bother, damaging and in their sheer numbers, ugly. Nor are they particularly noticeable. The plumage of the male house sparrow is a dull brown, though with dark brown, nearly black, highlighted beak. The female is lighter, and even less distinctly marked. Unimportant, unbeautiful.

The Psalmist emphasises this magnificently in the verse 3 , contrasting the Lord God Who rules over all, with this insignificant sparrow. So small and vulnerable, yet it finds its home, securely close to the very heart of the great God. 

And Jesus used sparrows to remind us how much God cares for us, as not a single one falls to the ground without the Father knowing. “Fear not, therefore,” He said. “You are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31) .

To have a faith, is to know a little of the nature of God. And anyone contemplating the truth of God, must become aware of the truth about oneself. In comparison with God, we feel our helplessness and defencelessness, our unworthiness and unimportance. Just like sparrows. 

When we think of that, our usual sources of security are blown away, we feel restless and exposed. We are like the swallows, rapidly whirling and wheeling around the sky, not finding anywhere to perch in safety. We realise our soul is our most precious possession, like the young are to the birds. We seek a safe place for our eternal soul.

As St Augustine said, ”You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You”.

The gospel answers these realisations. We can find our home, our rest, our safety, and peace in Christ. Our souls can be safe in his keeping. We can say with the psalmist "blessed is the man who trusts in You."

Prayer

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your care and love for me. You know and care for every little sparrow and restless swallow, therefore You care for me so much more, for You said that You made me in Your likeness. Thank You, and make me worthy of such a gift of love. Amen