Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the knowledge of your Father. I grew up in poverty, and this verse used to frustrate me because it seemed to suggest God knew about our suffering but didn't prevent it. Later I realized I was misreading it.
Jesus isn't saying 'Don't worry because God will prevent bad things.' He's saying 'Bad things happen, and God is aware—fully aware, not distant or distracted.' The sparrow falls. That's not in question. What's in question is whether you're alone when it does. My grandmother's house flooded when I was eight. We lost everything we had. In the moment, I was furious at God—this verse felt like a hollow promise. But looking back, I remember the church community showing up. I remember people who hadn't forgotten we existed just because we were poor. I think that's closer to what Jesus means. Not that sparrows don't fall. But that you're not forgotten when they do. You matter enough that your falling is known.
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