by Jim Burnett (Scotland)
Psalm 102.7. Also Matthew 10.28-31; Luke 12.4-7
The book of Psalms is one of five consecutive books in the Old Testament that form a group by themselves, commonly called the poetic books.
1. Job - the EXPERIENCE of SORROW:
2. Psalms - the EXPRESSION of JOY:
3. Proverbs - the ENTRANCE of TRUTH:
4. Ecclesiastes - the EMPTINESS of EARTH:
5. Song of Songs - the ENJOYMENT of LOVE:
The Psalmist deals with many topics and draws lessons from the most insignificant and in our verse, Ps.102.7 it is the sparrow. The verse can be considered in a two-fold way. Firstly, the Psalmist relates for us an experience that he had known in a deeply personal way. What it was we do not know but the language conveys something most grievous. Secondly the spiritual eye can see something of what our beloved Saviour endured at the place called Calvary. In these articles we shall consider the verse in this dual aspect, firstly thinking of the Psalmist's experience.
Note things in the verse that are marked by their absence.
I. "I watch" - NO RELAXATION:
II. "Am as a sparrow" - NO ESTIMATION:
III. "Alone" - NO CONSOLATION:
IV. "Upon the house top" - NO PROTECTION.
Many years ago we were privileged to listen to a brother expounding the truth of the tabernacle. Each evening he highlighted certain pieces of furniture under the same headings its POSITION; its PATTERN; its PURPOSE; its PRACTICAL TEACHING. The Lord's Day following, another servant came more than 60 miles away and knowing nothing of the former ministry he spoke on things that were absent from the tabernacle no WINDOW; no FLOOR; no SEAT etc. Again if we turn to 1 Samuel there are seven things that were not there. Here are the first three. The reader should seek out the others and be prepared to read through to the last chapter!
1.2 - Hannah NO CHILDREN:
3.1 - There was NO OPEN VISION:
4.21 - There was NO GLORY.
Coming back to our verse:
Why was the Psalmist so alert, so vigilant, continually watching? The reason is found in v8, "Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me." He was ever conscious of the fact that his enemies were never far away. Relaxation for one minute could have been disastrous. We hear the Lord giving His disciples some timely words, "watch and pray."
In these days of drift and departure we would do well to take these words to heart. To drop our defence would only serve to expose us to the fiery darts of the evil one. This warning is required by all. NO servant regardless of how godly, how knowledgeable about the Bible, how well respected among the saints is above the temptations of the devil. It is not what we are ORALLY that matters it is what we are MORALLY. Remember what it says of Solomon, "even him did outlandish women cause to sin." Neh.13.26.
Because we are so vulnerable it behoves us to cleave wholeheartedly to God and to the Word of His grace. Let us watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. We shall remember the words of an old sister Satan tempts to bring out the worst in us but God tests to bring out the best in us.
Lest there should be misunderstanding we should add that it is not wrong to relax in the sense of taking a holiday from the routine and pressure of life. Did not the Lord Jesus say to His own, "Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile?"
The writer lines himself to a sparrow. This particular bird is mentioned in four contexts in the Bible twice in the gospels and twice in the Psalms. In Matthew and Luke it is the WORTHLESSNESS of the bird that is highlighted. Matt.10.29 says that two sparrows are sold for a farthing, thus we expect four for two farthings. But no! Lk.12.6 tells us that we would get five one is thrown in for good measure. The bird is of no real value. It is lightly esteemed in the eyes of men. This was true of the Saviour and true of all who love Him and follow Him bearing His reproach. The world has not changed. They have no time for God, His Christ and therefore for His church. We cannot expect to be treated differently from our beloved Lord. It is not that we should invite the scorn of men but if we have never known what it means to be lightly esteemed by a world that put Him on the cross then we would do well to ask, "Am I really living the Christian life as I should?" Food for thought!
To encourage those who are despised by the world we should note that there is One in heaven who loves us:
Rom.5.8, "But God commendeth His love toward us," Literally HIS OWN LOVE.
Rom.8.32, "He that spared not HIS OWN SON,"
Heb.13.12, "that He might sanctify the people with HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered without the gate."
How blessed, how encouraging to be among HIS OWN!
The common house sparrow is usually found in company with others, even in flocks. Here it is alone. There are two things many fear in life one is POVERTY and the other LONELINESS. While the writer of this paper has never really experienced either, we judge loneliness to be feared the most. Of course being alone is different from being lonely. Some of our sweetest moments have been spent alone with God, alone with our thoughts. This was so with Jacob. In Gen.32 he was left alone with God and he had an unforgettable experience. When the sun rose upon him a new day had dawned and he had felt the transforming hand of God. From that day on, he halted upon his thigh. Another has said, "Far better for THE SUN TO RISE upon a LIMPING ISRAEL than for THE SUN TO SET upon a LYING JACOB." Loneliness is quite different. There are many lonely people these days. Bedridden saints, sometimes forgotten, who long for a visit. Just someone to call for a few minutes, a little reading, a short prayer, a kind word that's all that's required. To all lonely hearts could I cheer your spirit and tell you that there is One above, standing behind the shadows, keeping watch over His own. You can confidently cast "all your care upon Him for He careth for you," or as another puts it so beautifully, "It matters to Him about you." What a heart warming thought to enjoy. It matters to Him that you are lonely; It matters to Him that you are so weak and ill; It matters to Him that your family are still not saved; It matters to Him that in middle life you have lost your job.
Remember these three phrases spoken by the Lord?
John 19.30, "It is finished" - I AM SAVED;
Luke 4.4,8,10, "It is written" - I AM SURE:
Matt.14.27, "It is I" - I AM SATISFIED.
That He is the only source of help is declared again by the Psalmist in Ps.121.1, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." Another rendering perhaps gives the better meaning when is in the form of a question, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?" The answer is given, v2 "My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." There is no source of help on earth or from among men it comes from the Lord Himself who is all powerful.
This sparrow is on the housetop and exposed to the elements rain, wind and storm. Sometimes we feel the full force of the storms of life. Mk.4.37 says "there arose a great storm." Sometimes storms arise without much warning a phone call; a knock at the door; a late night visitor and suddenly life is thrown into turmoil. Events come that change your life completely. But please note that Mk.4 says that "He arose."
Dear child of God as you face the storms of life please keep before you this blessed thought, that no matter what may arise in your experience, He Himself will arise to bring comfort, to bring sweet peace.
One day and perhaps soon He will arise and say to all of us, "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." S. of S. 2.13. Away from all the storms, from all the sorrow, all the pain and enter into the eternal joy of his presence.
to be continued (D.V.)