2015年12月31日
遊隼之翼 On the Wing
读经: 馬太福音10章27-31節
Reading: Matthew 10:27-31
所以，不要懼怕！你們比許多麻雀還貴重。-馬太福音10章31節
So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.- Matthew 10:31
全年读经: 瑪拉基書1-4章;啟示錄22章
Bible in a Year: Malachi 1–4; Revelation 22
在亞倫·泰寧特（Alan Tennant）的《遊隼之翼》（On the Wing）一書中，他詳細記錄了遊隼的遷徙過程。這種獵禽因著牠們的美麗、敏捷和勇猛，成為古時帝王及貴族的狩獵良伴。可惜在1950年代，因為人類大量使用殺蟲劑DDT，致使牠們的繁殖週期受到影響，導致牠們現今已名列瀕臨絕種的鳥類之一。
為了挽救這瀕臨絕種的禽鳥，泰寧特在一群遊隼身上裝了發報器，以便記錄牠們的遷徙途徑。但是當他跟駕駛員駕著輕航機跟在遊隼後頭飛行，卻常常接收不到訊號。即便他們有先進的儀器，但卻無法一直追蹤這些需要幫助的鳥兒。
看顧我們的上帝，從來不會接收不到我們的訊號，這實在太好了。事實上，耶穌說：「若是你們的父不許，一個[麻雀]也不能掉在地上。……所以，不要懼怕！你們比許多麻雀還貴重。」（馬太福音10章29-31節）
當我們面對艱難的環境，恐懼會使我們懷疑上帝是否真的了解我們的狀況。然而，耶穌的教導卻使我們得以確信：上帝不但十分在乎我們，而且祂也掌管萬有，祂永遠都會接收到我們的訊號。
父啊，在這年終之日，我將我的渴望和重擔都交給祢。
因深知祢看顧我，且能夠在我生命中成就大事。
感謝祢，我和我摯愛的人都在祢的保守中。
若上帝看顧雀鳥，豈會不看顧祂的兒女呢？
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In his book On the Wing, Alan Tennant chronicles his efforts to track the migration of the peregrine falcon. Valued for their beauty, swiftness, and power, these amazing birds of prey were favorite hunting companions of emperors and nobility. Sadly, the wide use of the pesticide DDT in the 1950s interfered with their reproductive cycle and placed them on the endangered species list.
Interested in the recovery of this species, Tennant attached transmitters to a select number of falcons to track their migration patterns. But when he and his pilot flew their Cessna behind the birds, they repeatedly lost signal from the transmitters. Despite their advanced technology, they were not always able to track the birds they wanted to help.
It's good to know that the God who cares for us never loses track of us. In fact, Jesus said that not even one sparrow "will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. . . . So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:29-31).
When we face difficult circumstances, fear may cause us to wonder if God is aware of our situation. Jesus' teaching assures us that God cares deeply and is in control. His tracking of our lives will never fail.
Father, I'm putting my longings and burdens on You at the end of this year because I know You care for me and can work powerfully. Thank You that I and my loved ones are in Your care
If God cares for birds, will He not care for His children?