Isaiah 46: 3-4 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Looking at a nature show this week, I sat in awe of the young birds, all daughters, who had to take their first flight from a high mountain to the sea. I watched as the father would push his daughter toward the edge of the ledge, and, suddenly, he would shove her past the ledge. The narrator told us that she had to fly to the sea a good distance away, if she were to survive.
What was so incredible for me was that the father accompanied his daughter, taking flight right behind her, and constantly squawking at her. I think he was encouraging her and letting her know that he was there for her. When they reached the sea, there was such a sense of accomplishment, so much celebratory noise from father and daughter!
In one case, the daughter missed the sea and landed on the rocks. There was a young lion cub that sought to catch her for dinner. Her father had made it to the sea, and you could hear him calling to her. I think he wanted to lead her to him by his voice, but also to keep her aware that she wasn’t alone and could do what seemed impossible.
With bated breath, I watched her courageously fight the lion cub and run with little legs across rocks much bigger than her, each time listening to her father calling out encouragement. She kept pushing toward him, and she made it! I was nearly out of breath by then!
How wonderful it is that the birds and other animals can teach us so much about the love of our Father for us! Job 12: 7-8 states, “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.”
The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God knew us before we were born. How exciting is that piece of news to hearts weighed down by this pandemic! There may be 7.5 billion people in the world, but we are not just a blob of souls, but God knows each of us individually. Matthew 10:29 assures us that out of all the billions of birds in the sky, not one can fall to the ground and God not know of it.
Yes, we live in a time of great uncertainty and isolation, which could leave us feeling alone, as if we were flying solo in this crisis. But, I am so glad to be able to assure you that your flight has always been accompanied by a loving Father. Even as my hair has turned gray, I know my Redeemer lives and that He loves me just as much in my old age. My hope against this virus is in Him.
Be encouraged today! You are not alone, and this too, will pass!
Help from Heaven 
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