HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

For over 16 years I have written weekly hymn blogs, nearly 800 of them.  But while I have shared information about them, I have never shared which were my personal favorites.  So I am beginning in 2023 a new feature in which, once a month, I will share one of my favorites and why it has had an impact on my life.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

          One of my favorite spots is on my recliner which is just inside the room that overlooks our backyard.  It is next to a window and right outside the window is a birdfeeder which attracts many types of birds, especially sparrows.

          I recently read that there are probably about 50 different species of sparrows in the United States.  Estimates are that there are more than 1.6 billion sparrows in the world.  And all need food and shelter.  But God, their creator takes care of them.

          "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).  "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father's care. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29–31). 

           The birds are a daily reminder to me of my Father's care for me.  Often I need that reminder when facing the toils, discouragements and cares of daily living.  

          These scriptures were the inspiration for this week's song which has encouraged listeners for over a century.  According to Civilla Martin, writer of the lyrics, "Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle - true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them."

          "One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience." 

          The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music. Singer Ethel Waters helped make this song popular and she so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.  

          Of course I don't know what is going on in your life right now, but I am sure that you, too, often face times of frustration, challenge and discouragement.  In those times be reminded that if you are a child of God, He will take care of you.  Your heart need not be troubled.  He is your constant friend and will put a song in your heart as you experience His care, comfort and leading.  

          If He can see and care for the sparrow, certainly He will see and care for you.  "For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me!"

 

(1)     Why should I feel discouraged, 

why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, 

and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? 

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.

(2)     "Let not your heart be troubled," 

His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, 

but one step I may see;
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.

(3)     Whenever I am tempted, 

whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, 

when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, 

from care He sets me free;
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.