Saturday morning after returning from several days of ministry in Louisiana and Mississippi I woke up as I heard these words:

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord…

I could not remember where this passage was in the Word so I had to go look it up. I thought I would share the full chapter of Psalm 19 here with you. I have come to understand that all things He created point back to Him…from dandelions, to the rain, to the sunshine, the flowers, the clouds….and it is a great delight of mine when He leads me to study any of these treasures. Many times we dismiss them as so familiar…yet each one is so profoundly declaring His glory..

As I recall this past ministry week, I have been so grateful for the Lord’s gentleness..with me and with those I was so blessed to love on. Only a few days before I left for my trip did the Lord give me His messages for Jacobs Well. I was swimming trying to clear my mind when I noticed a swallow continue to dip down into the water for a drink or to grab a little bug to eat (I am unsure of which)…and I thought it so peculiar. Never had this happened before when I was swimming. Then I went for a walk…I began asking the Lord for His heart for the women at Jacob’s Well. I asked Him to let me hear their cries…..He can do that you know? Yet, when He does it can be quite painful to hear.

As I returned home with nothing but refreshment from my time with Him I was walking through the house when I heard His familiar whisper…”focus on the birds…” You see I had been putting together my next From My Closet to Yours magazine and I had already noticed the several poems about various birds. So, I pulled back out these poems, let Him show me the scripture hidden within each, and place the music He laid on my heart for each as well. It was the first time I had received a message that was mapped out by 5 poems all about birds. Yet, I knew that this was my sweet Father indeed. It would be just like Him to do this with me. He gave me His message entitled ” From a Bird’s Eye View.”

I wish you could have seen what I saw in those sweet faces that night as I shared about The Little Peacock, The Silenced Sparrow, The Swallow, The Eagle, and The Little Bird…. For each of them was represented in the audience. A precious one shared how she had asked the Lord that if He had anything for her on this evening that I would talk about sparrows:) Then yet another who had asked Him to cause me to speak on eagles early in the day…:) Two confessed they were the silenced sparrows in which Satan had stolen their gift..and they had quit singing. Clearly the Spirit of God came to restore their gift and take it back from the enemy. I began the evening by sharing about the dandelion just to explain the Lord’s way with me. Afterwards a beautiful face came to show me her tattoo of a dandelion that turned into flying birds as the seeds were blown by the wind. I honestly was almost in shock over the precise answers the Lord sent for these women. However, if you had been in the room with me and seen that as the music began….worship began….then the altar filled as they laid down their burdens before the Lord before we began….I knew the paramount importance of them getting a word from the Lord…and I pleaded with the Holy Spirit to give me the mind and heart of Christ for them. I thought I would weep a river before our worship had subsided into the message.

Somewhere over the Rainbow had pricked my heart for them as it mentions the little blue birds that fly high over the rainbow…and tears filled my eyes to hear one with a tear stained face explain it was the song her mom sang to her as a little girl…and now she sings it to her own…. such a good good Father…

Christ knows how to speak to us in a language we understand. He knows what we need and how we need to hear it. I watched Him pour over every woman there and answer their plea. He had surely let me hear their heart cries. It was one of the most tender nights yet in ministry. The tears were gentle like rain and our Father was precious with them. He desired to set free His little birds. For He has beautiful plans for them each and desires them to fly from their cages.

I am most grateful that I waited for His word for them..I am grateful that He sent a swallow to capture my attention, and I am grateful that He uses what many would consider “foolish” to touch the heart of His people. Once again, it causes me to long for more of His presence and voice in my life.

 

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.