When the children of Israel set up camp in the wilderness, the tabernacle was placed in the middle and the twelve tribes camped on each of the four sides (three tribes per side). Numbers 2:2 says, "Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard." Standards (flags, banners, etc.) often included colors or drawings that represented families and tribes. They showed where the family or tribe was to camp and what that tribe stood for.

In battle times, flags boosted morale and showed the troops where to gather. In the intensity of a fight (before the time of radios), vocal commands and bugle calls might not be heard. The soldiers were trained to follow the flag. Being a flag bearer was a high honor and dangerous! Often soldiers were assigned to protect them. The flag bearer could not turn and run from the battle in fear, for the army was following that flag!

Today's verse tells us that God's banner over us is "love." That is what drew us to Him. He loved us so much that He gave His Son to die for our sins. Yet, what is a banner or a flag without a standard bearer? God needs His people to CARRY that banner of love, showing a lost world where there is hope and that God is a God of love. When life gets hard and trials come, we are tempted to flee, but who will be lost if we (as flag bearers), turn and run? It is a great honor and privilege to carry the banner for Christ! God will protect us. Let us stand true and lift up the banner of Christ. There are so many who need to see it.

Booker T. Washington was a freed slave who desperately wanted an education. In 1872, he traveled more than 300 miles to Hampton Institute. He only had a few dollars when he arrived at the school (not near enough for tuition). The head teacher, Miss Mackie, told Booker to sweep the floor of a classroom. Booker swept and mopped the floor; he dusted the furniture and washed down the walls. He cleaned that room thoroughly from top to bottom. When Miss Mackie returned, she was so impressed that she hired Booker as a janitor at the school, which enabled him to afford the tuition. Three years later, Booker graduated and soon became a teacher at Hampton Institute.

How many times do we do the bare minimum (just "sweep the floor")? Do we rush through reading a Scripture verse or two and say a quick prayer, thinking that is all that is required? Might the word "faithful" in this verse encourage us to do a little more? What could happen if we put extra time and care into our daily devotions? Had Booker only swept the room, he quite possibly might have missed the opportunity of the janitor's job. What opportunities are we missing by failing to be faithful in the little things?

The story of Booker is inspiring. Just as he was determined to get into that school, we should be determined to be "faithful," not doing just enough to get by, not being faithful in only the big things (that which is most noticeable), but also being faithful in "that which is least" (the little things).

The sparrow in Jesus' day was considered to be of very little value. If you bought two at the market, the cost was one farthing, but two farthings would purchase five sparrows (an extra one was thrown in for free). Some historians say a farthing would today be equal to a fourth of a penny. How many times have we seen a penny laying on the ground and did not think it worth the effort to lean over and pick it up? That was the worth of ten sparrows.

Jesus' disciples were facing great persecution. Jesus was letting them know that difficult days were ahead. Then, He reassured them by saying that God takes notice of when every sparrow falls. The Greek says the word "fall" means "to light" or "to land." Not only does God care when a sparrow falls and dies, but He also notices every time a sparrow lands! Nothing is too small for His care.

Jesus then reassured His disciples, "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:31). We do not know what we face in the days ahead. Times are looking spiritually dark, but we can rest assured that the God who cares about the landing of every sparrow can certainly take care of His people!

A favorite song of mine says, "I just want to please the Lord; Be in His will in every way. … To hear Him say well done someday."*    When it is sung in the church service, my hand is up and my heart says, "Amen!" Yet, throughout my daily routine, I wonder, "Am I truly doing ALWAYS those things that please Him?" In my work, in my words, in my attitudes, in my down time - am I ALWAYS pleasing Him?

It is easy to rationalize something, thinking, "This isn't sin," but does it please the Lord? Is it in His will? Often, I compare my relationship with God to being a parent. There are times when my children were not disobeying rules, but their actions were disappointing. They were not making good choices.

As a mother, I noticed that if I was with the child, they were much more likely to do the things that pleased me. So, it is with our Heavenly Father. He has not left us alone; He is always with us, but an increased awareness of His presence helps us to choose "those things that please him."

I wonder, how many times has God looked at me and thought, "She is not making good choices today"? It is my desire to ALWAYS do "those things that please him." Today's verse is a reminder that He is always there, waiting to help me. All I need to do is ask.

*    "I Just Want to Please the Lord" by ​Brian Free & Assurance

Our Father remembers the sparrows,
Their value and fall doth He see;
But dearer to Him are His children,
And He’ll never forget to keep me.
—    ​F.   A.   Graves