Do Animals Have a Place With God

“When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Gen 9:16)

“One who beats an animal to death must make restitution for it, life for life.” (Lev 24:17-18)

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you … in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” (Job 12:7-10)

“A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Pro 12:10)

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine.” (Psa 50:10-11)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Mat 10:29)

Journal,

In the picture above is our dog Zach. Zach is a very small Yorke. The traditional Yorke has long hair. To begin this entry let me share a story about Zach.

Someone had left the back gate of our deck open, and Zach went exploring. He rarely goes very far from home. Anyway, I missed Zach, and went through the house and the back yard calling for him. No answer. Then in a bit I began to hear this pitiful yelp.

I followed the yelping sound, and there on the creek bank near the front of our house was Zach. His hair was entangled in a brier patch. The more he struggled the worse it became.

So, I worked my way through the briers with my pocket knife. Zach was overjoyed that I had come to his rescue. I picked him up and carried him home in my arms.

In the picture above you will see a cut away piece of brier entangled with Zach’s hair. I keep it on my desk as a reminder of this precious little animal that the Lord had given us. (Actually Zack was a gift from our kids to Betty.)

I am telling this story for more than one reason. First of all, this story reveals a lot about my heart. I’ve always had a special love for dogs.

Like most folk, I can hardly stand to see any animal suffer. This is the reason I stopped hunting years ago. It was never a pleasure for me to shoot an animal merely for sport.

(I’m not faulting those who enjoy hunting. This is just for me personally.)

But there is a second reason. I believe that animals carry a message to us from God Himself. And how we treat our animals lets us know if God’s message is getting through. If you aren’t sure about animals carrying a message from God, take time to reread the Scriptures that I share above. Note the bold color in blue.

Let’s take note of how …

God Teaches Us Through His Creatures

I certainly don’t wish to overemphasize how God makes animals a part of our lives, yet at the same time you hardly ever hear any teaching about this. Take the birds for example. Did you know that the birds have much to tell us? This is why Jesus instructed us to consider them.

Listen —

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!” (Luk 12:24)

The lesson seems simple enough. So much of the world lives in fear of what the future holds. Why should God’s children worry. We are to learn from the ravens, to live our lives with the knowledge that all our needs are provided for by our heavenly Father.

Can the ravens teach us more? Surely they can. Did you know that animals can receive special instructions directly from God. Have you never read when Elijah the prophet fled for his life. Listen –

“The word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.

“‘It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.’

“So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.” (1Ki 17:2-6)

Think about all the lessons the Lord give us through animals. They are numerous. God’s people are likened to sheep. God used a donkey to chasten Balaam. The untamed colt that let Jesus ride on him. The fish that gathered so that Peter could catch them. The boy with the loaves and fishes.

A picture of CJ, my Great Dane. He is with the Lord now. The kids gave CJ to me on Father’s Day, years ago. Sure do miss him.

The list goes on. Noah releases a dove and the dove returns with good news. A fish that brought money to Peter. How about Daniel in the lion’s den, where the lions would not even touch him.

The great fish that carried Jonah to his proper destination. All the animals that entered the ark under divine influence.

God says that animals can even teach us wisdom

“Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

“The shephanim are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;

“The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.

“There are three things which are stately in their march, even four which are stately when they walk: the lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any, the strutting rooster, the male goat also, and a king when his army is with him.” (Pro 30:24-31)

So the question remains…

Do animals have feelings and emotions

What do you think?

Anyone who has ever had a pet, can certainly tell you that their pet has personality, and feelings, and emotions. They dream. They weep. They bond on a level that we humans don’t really understand.

They care deeply. They will give up their life for you.

As a spokesman for dogs, I can tell you that dogs are unique in their unconditional love.

We have so much to learn from them.

Oh well, enough for now. Take time for a bit of humor.

Views: 38