He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. Psalm 147:9

Here we have a very interesting peek into the Heart of God. He is so interested in His creation that He feeds the beast (literally the dumb beast) and the raven. There is much to be gleaned from this passage concerning the loving care and concern God has for His creation. Of all creatures to speak of caring for, the Lord chooses a big dumb beast like a cow or an ox and the raven with its associations to evil and death!

What do we know about these creatures? First of all, we do know that cows are big, dumb and taste great grilled on a barbeque! Next, we know that the raven is for the most part an unpleasant bird. From its harsh, inarticulate, croaking noises to its desire to eat dead and rotting carcasses this bird has–for ages–been attached to superstitions and dark omens. And the Lord still sees fit to provide for their needs. Jesus said of the Raven… “Consider the raven, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds.” (Luke 12:24) And there lies the amazing truth: God hears the cry of the Raven and answers it, will He not hear you and me? Will the Father hear the cry of the raven and not hear the cries of us who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb? Won’t He hear the cries of we who are seeking His will for our lives, provision for our needs and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ?

The Lord takes tender care of these creatures who just cease to exist when their lives are over; His promise is that He will take even better care of us! When we have breathed our last, our eternal Journey is just beginning. When the sun and the moon, the earth and the stars, even the entire universe have melted away with a fervent heat we will be in our eternal abode settling into the idea of life everlasting.

We see our loving God caring for a poor unclean bird whose death would make no sort of grievous gap in creation. If a thousand ravens had their lives ended tomorrow there would be no great grief in the universe over their death, there would simply be a bunch of dead birds and that would be all. We, on the other hand, as depraved and sinful as we are were made in the image of God. Furthermore God has told us to come to Him with all of our needs and seek His loving care. He has called us to come boldly before His throne room of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Once again we come back to the question: will our Lord hear the ghastly cry of this poor bird and not hear our cries? Of we who bear His image and have been purchased with the blood of His only Son? Will He not hear us who have been called to seek Him with all of our hearts and promised that when we do we will find Him? Can our loving Father ignore the cries of His children when they are in pain, hunger and need? Will He ignore his little children when they come to him with hugs, kisses and words of love for their father? Is He merely concerned with the needs of the beasts and birds? I urge you to come to the Father trusting in Him and knowing that He loves and cares for you!!! Seeking Him and trusting Him with your every need, care and concern!

Remember what Paul said to the Ephesians:

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask of think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”( Ephesians 4:14-21)