The saints of God have often found themselves in dire circumstances. In the first century when God’s just judgment was about to come against the Jewish nation, it was preceded by wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Christians were in the midst of all these troubles. What hope did they have?
In addition to this, their faith in God created even more adversity. Hebrews 10:32-34 vividly describes what was happening around them. “You endured a great struggle with sufferings…both by reproaches and tribulations…the plundering of your goods.” Shortly after the church began, Saul led the assault against the church which brought great adversity. “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging of men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). What hope did they have?
The same happened to Old Testament saints. Think of those many years when David fled from King Saul and later from the Jewish army led by his rebellious son. He and his men lived in the wilderness where there were caves in which they took refuge. He had to flee from the Promised Land to even survive, living among the enemies of Israel. Once he had to feign insanity before the pagan king to keep from being put to death. What would have been our thoughts if we had been with him. What hope did he and his followers have?
Hear the words of David: “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psa. 37:25). There were times when it appeared that this man after God’s own heart failed. David speaks of this in this same psalm and then turns his eyes toward God. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Hear the words of Jesus, given first to those who would suffer the ravages led by Saul. He told them to look at the birds. God feeds every one of them. Not a single bird has even fallen to the earth without God being aware of it. He feeds every bird. Look at the birds! (Matt. 6:26; 10:29-31; Luke 12:6-7, 24). The practical results of this is His promise to the faithful. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
There is a vivid application in what is happening all around us. We have seen the horrendous storms which swept through the Bahamas, just fifty miles from West Palm Beach. We have listened as our brethren describe what they have endured. However, in the midst of all of this there is one thing which we must always remember. You will never see a skinny bird in the Bahamas! God feeds His birds and His saints!