Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - A Lesson from Some Birds
It is mid-morning in the country of Moldova as I write this devotional. I am in the middle of preparing my sermons for this week's services and am constantly being distracted by the activity of the birds just outside the two windows in front of me. Each has a nest in the upper right hand corner. The birds have made an incredible mess on the screen, the windowsill, and the walls, but my friend, Missionary-Evangelist Eric Chapman, could not bring himself to destroy the nests. Watching these birds has reminded me of some great truths.
The babies are beginning the process of leaving the nests. They have made their initial departure and have discovered the wonder of flight. Around and around they go, chirping merrily to themselves, the other birds, and the entire world around them. They are like new believers in Christ! Two matters in particular have caught my attention.
The first matter that has caught my attention is this: The rest of the bird population has rallied around the young ones. About a dozen or so of the other birds appear to be flying above them, around them, behind them, and in front of them. The sound of their voices fill the entire area. Is this not how we in the church should treat our young believers? Sometimes we criticize them for their falterings and failures. Sometimes we sit back and watch in amusement. Sometimes we quietly whisper to each other our predictions of whether or not they will make it. Would it not be better to fill their lives with our encouragement, input, and direction? Would it not be better to cheer them on and help them to get a good start? I believe we could learn a great lesson from these little birds.
The second matter that has caught my attention is this: After a while the little ones return to the nest and try to get back inside. The other birds protest physically and verbally. They fly between the younger bird and his old home and "cut him off." Twice this morning I have seen the young one land on the edge of the nest, only to be knocked off and pecked off by one of the older birds. Twice, I saw one of the young ones make it inside. The first time, another bird flew into the nest and drove him back out. The next time, he went in but apparently couldn't stand the darkness and confinement. He flew in, but almost immediately flew back out. Isn't that how it should be? In the first place, every time one of our new believers heads for the old nest (and don't we all at times?), shouldn't the rest of us do everything in our power to "head them off?" If they manage to get back inside, shouldn't we go in after them? I think we should, as Paul wrote to the church at Galatia: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1, KJV).
Isn't it also true that when we "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (I Thess. 1:9, KJV) that the old nest isn't what it used to be? We may on occassion return to it, but it doesn't hold the allure that it once did. We've tasted something better, and we've seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)! We will never be the same!
Sincerely,
The David Young Revival Team
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Previous Devotionals Sorted by Date:
Thursday, March 18, 2010 - Revival Issues - Do you still believe in revival?
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - Revival Issues - From Dr. Rick Flanders on Baptists and Revival
Friday, December 25, 2009 - Soulwinning - It is Christmas Morning
Friday, December 11, 2009 - Encouragement - Thoughts about Christmas by Pastor Dan Wolvin
Monday, August 17, 2009 - Revival Issues - Transforming our Lives
Monday, May 11, 2009 - Revival Issues - What about Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Ohio
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Encouragement - A Lesson from Some Birds
Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Revival Issues - Psalm 85:6
Friday, May 16, 2008 - Soulwinning - The Roman's Road to Heaven
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - For Ladies - For Me to Live is Christ!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - Encouragement - Does God Order the Bad Steps Too?
Monday, February 4, 2008 - Encouragement - Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend by Evangelist Dave Young
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Encouragement - Facing Life's Deeper Troubles
