Perhaps this seems unlikely, but sometimes I wonder
if birds have the ability to claim a small piece of real estate as their own. Once,
on my way to church, I noticed several red-winged black birds. Perched on
electric wires, they sat evenly spaced along the side of a country road.
God
cares for birds and knows they need space to live. Some birds, like blue jays,
are aggressive, however, and steal the nests of others. In the Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus pointed out that God feeds and clothes birds. If God takes care of
birds, he will certainly watch over us.
Paul told the Athenians, “From one man he [God] made
every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he
determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live”
(Acts 17:26, NIV).
Once, King Jehoshaphat of Judah had a disturbing
problem. The Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites united to try to conquer Judah. Years
before, the Lord would not let the Israelites invade the land of those nations.
Instead he promised them safety. Jehoshaphat did not think this was fair. God
had reserved land for those relatives of Israel long ago. Yet they wanted to invade Judah in his day (2 Chronicles 20).
God plants everyone in a particular neighbourhood.
Do you find comfort knowing that the Lord has placed you where you live?
