A Little Bird Told Me
1. Bible Stories About Birds
Pastor Jack Tripp recently preached a sermon titled, "A Little Bird Told Me". His scripture reference was "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." (Ecclesiastes 10:20) Maybe this verse is where we get the old saying, "A Little Bird Told Me'. In his sermon, Preacher Tripp used several examples of stories about birds in the Bible and reminded us of things we can learn from these stories. I want to use some of the notes from his sermon, and add a few more examples of my own, as we look at what these birds are telling us.
2. A Bird Reminded Peter Of What Jesus Had Said
God used a bird to remind Peter of what Jesus had said. When Jesus told the disciples that they would all be offended because of Him, Peter bragged that he would never be offended, and Jesus said, "Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." (Matthew 26:34) Jesus is never surprised by our words or actions. Not only does the Lord hear all that we say, but this little bird tells us that He knows the words that are on our tongue before we say them. "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether." (Psalm 139:4)
"73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." (Matthew 26:73-75)
3. The Raven And Dove On The Ark Tell Us Of Two Types Of Christians
Our next example takes us to Noah and the ark. Let's see what these little birds will tell us.
"7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more." (Genesis 8:7-12)
The raven and the dove speak of our two natures. The raven never came back to the ark. It was feeding on the carcasses. The dove was not satisfied to feed on the old flesh, and returned to the ark of safety. There is a part of us that can't be satisfied feeding on the flesh, just like the prodigal son who was not satisfied to feed on the husks that the swines ate. (Luke 15:11-32) The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and our new nature. There is a part of us that can only find peace and safety in the Lord. Paul tells us that the flesh wars against the Spirit. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5:16-17) The one that we yield to and submit to is the one that will reign.
4. These Birds Tell Us That God Provides For His Children
Jesus said, "Behold the fowls of the air..." and His story of these little birds tells us how God provides all our needs. If God cares for the little birds, and feeds them, don't you think that He would care for and feed His children?
"26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:26-33)
5. This Little Bird Tells Us That Jesus Cares About What Happens In Our Lives
There is a story that tells of a farmer who was walking through his barnyard after a devastating fire. He kicked over the burnt body of one of his hens, and her little chicks ran out from under her scorched wings. She had given her life, to protect her little chicks. Jesus wanted to protect His people. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37) Jesus gave His life on the cruel cross, to give us life. He took all the pain and suffering to pay for our sin so that we could have everlasting life. John tells us, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:11) But, as we continue in the next verse, we have hope. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
6. The Eagle Tells Us That It Is Worth Waiting On The Lord
In our busy lives we often feel like waiting time is wasted time. When we are waiting on the Lord, it is a time of service. If we go to a nice restaurant a waiter or waitress will serve us. They will bring our meal, and fill our water glasses. We don't need to sit around and just twiddle our thumbs when we are waiting on the Lord. We need to be working to glorify His name while we are waiting, and serve God as we wait patiently for His guidance. The eagle tells us that it is worth our time to wait on the Lord.
"28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)
7. The Little Sparrow Tells Us That Jesus Cares When We Fall
I was walking around the garden and sweet little Elsa started saying, "It is bad about that poor little bird that died." I didn't know what she was talking about, but she said it a couple more times, so I asked her, "What little bird, Honey?" She said, "That little bird that is dead in your garden." And Jedidiah joined in, "Yea, he's right over here." And they showed me the little sparrow, lying between the rows of corn. By that time they were both bawling. Michael went to the house to get the shovel, and I took the two kids and we sat on the bench under the shade tree. They cried and cried for that poor little bird. I tried to comfort them and told them that I don't use any poison in the garden, but maybe a cat or some other animal killed it. I don't know any other person who would have cared that much for a small little sparrow, but this little bird tells me how much Jesus cares for me.
"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31)
8. "Elijah And The Ravens" Tells Us That God Knows What Is Ahead For Us
In one of Preacher Tripp's sermons he was talking about the providence of God, and he mentioned the story of Elijah. When God told Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, He told him that He had commanded the ravens to feed him there. God had already prepared food and water for Elijah during the drought. These birds tell me that no matter what may come up in our lives, God is already there. God has a plan and purpose for our lives and He is waiting and ready for us when trouble comes.
"1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook." (I Kings 17:1-6)
