Week 47
Luke 12:7 “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows.”
In this chapter, Jesus says that one of our human problems is not knowing when to be afraid, when not to be afraid, and of whom or what to be afraid.
The presence of fear portrays our perspective of so much in life, including our tacit understanding of God’s role and promise, as it pertains to every aspect and challenge we face. Sometimes fear is rational, based on prior experience or knowledge. But sometimes fear is irrational engendered by some dark suspicion or monstrous possibility.
In the text before us today, Jesus makes two statements arguing why His people should not be afraid. Then, He forthrightly commands us to dismiss fear in light of these great truths. Jesus is serious about this!
The two statements are: “The hairs of your head are all numbered” and “you are of more value than many sparrows.” The implications of these statements are profound. First, Jesus is talking about the heavenly Father and His relationship to His people. The assertion about the number of hairs on the head is not a biological or scientific fact; it is a powerful explanation of how concerned our heavenly Father is for us. Nothing about our existence and life experience is insignificant to God. This statement leads to perhaps a clearer pronouncement about our value compared to God’s creation outside of the human context. We are of more value than birds, animals, plants, and the earth itself. Second, the assumed application of these assertions should be obvious to us: God’s people must not fear because God cares for us!
Our heavenly Father cares for us in many ways. He cares for us in wisdom. He knows our needs, He knows His plan for us, and He knows what is best. We can yield to His direction and guidance, because He cares for us in wisdom. He also cares for us in circumstantial intervention and providence. He is in charge of all aspects of our lives, including situations and circumstances that occur. He is present with us, and He is actively engaged in working to support, undergird, strengthen, and help us. And He cares for us in loving redemption. The best thing that can happen to us is for God to save us, which He does in and through the saving work of Christ. And this salvation is worked out in our lives daily through sanctification and growth in Christlike character. One day this glorious redemptive journey will end with our transfer to heaven; what a day that will be! And in that day, we will know as we have never known how much God values us and how protective He has been in our lives all along the path of life. We do not fear because the God of heaven and earth is our heavenly Father.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when I am afraid, help me to remember that You are watching over me and caring for me. Help me to remember that You are working in my life to bring about Your glory and my good. Restore my peace when the storm of fear comes. Thank You. Amen.