God's wonderful creatures.....

 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor.  The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle,  but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!  He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”  2 Samuel 2:12-7 ,NIV…….Doesn’t this story get you angry as well!   It was meant to an allegory, to expose David’s sin with Bathsheba.  But the idea that someone would kill a little lamb that was beloved by it’s owner makes me sick to my stomach.  Listen to me: you cannot be in intimate with God and be cruel, or lack for animals.

Animals—-and especially pets—-are God’s creatures. They’re special to Him—- did you know that?  Jesus once said this: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” – Matthew 10:29. NIV.  Something is wrong with a child or an adult that treats animals—-especially pets—-badly.

We’re told in Proverbs that, ““The righteous care for the needs of their animals….” – Proverbs 12:10 NIV. And again, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” – Proverbs 27:23

We have our hands full with seven dogs, and soon an Arctic wolf along with the seven people that now live here with big appetites. You’ve got to keep on a budget to feed all the mouths in this house!  But I love my pets,  and the puppies we purchase every few years are adorable—-people all  want to pick them up and love them. Why is that?  My sons are instinctively drawn to the innocence, gentleness and frailty of a small puppy. Something within them wants to protect that pet, provide for them, speak to them gently and cuddle them. I have seen children who are unable to accept a touch—— or give a hug to an adult—- find it quite easy to stroke and hug a pet.

God created animals on the sixth day, alongside us, humans. This act holds immense significance, as it shows us that animals are part of God’s majestic creation. We often overlook the beauty of all creatures great and small, but every animal has its purpose and place in this world. God cares for each creature, reflecting His love and compassion that extends not just to humankind, but to every part of His creation..  David pointed out that, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” – Psalm 145:9

God’s love does not just include humans but also to the animals that roam the earth and the creatures of the sea. It is astounding how much God cares for the beasts of the field. He is not distant or uninterested Creator; rather, He knows the very numbers of their hairs, and He watches over them, providing for their needs. This care shows us that every living being is precious to Him, and helps us understand our responsibility to care for animals as stewards of His creation.

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26

Jonah 4:11, NIV.  We might be the crown of His creation, but He loves creatures—-and you can sure He strongly disapproves of mankind being unkind to the creatures He’s given us.

As followers of God, we are called not only to love our fellow humans but also to care for His creatures. Our responsibility includes showing kindness, compassion, and respect to animals, recognizing that they are part of God’s creation, just like we are. Our actions toward animals reflect our understanding of God’s heart for all living beings. When we nurture and protect the animals around us, we fulfill our duty as stewards of God’s magnificent creation.  That does not mean you can’t eat chicken’s eggs,  or that you can’t slaughter a sheep or a cow for meat and clothing.  But the as the old saying goes, the only bad for pig or a duck, should it’s last day.               

But before become a vegetarian, remember that the Son of God ate meat and fish and drank wine. It’s a fact.  We’re not talking about abolishing the dairy industry or never wearing leather shoes, it’s a matter of respect and gratitude for God’s given us, and a gentle heart to God’s creature—great and small.   In fact, when it comes to eating meat or fish, Paul said this: “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:4 God’s love reveals itself beautifully in the diversity of animals. Each creature, with its unique design and purpose, paints a picture of God’s creative nature. We can learn valuable lessons from observing animals and their behaviors, as they seem to possess a wisdom that can teach us about life, love, and faith. Appreciating the beauty of God’s creatures helps us grow in gratitude and reminds us of His infinite creativity.

With sin, God’s plan for man and creature was fractured.  Had Adam and Eve never sinned there would have been no funeral for Chris Adkins yesterday. I would not have had the flu last week, each one of us would no nothing of good or bad—-we would only know the good. But that fateful day that Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of “good and evil”, her eyes were opened to the opportunity of evil.  Prior to that there was no violence or evil.  Pity….

But the good news of the gospel is that through Jesus Christ all things are going to be right again. Chris, in heaven now, is still Chris!  But he has no desire or temptation other to sin.  We’re old that in heaven, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” – Isaiah 11:6 God  made a covenant with every living creature after the flood, indicating His unwavering love and commitment to them. Understanding this covenant helps us appreciate the importance of stewardship and care for animals and reminds us that God has a special relationship with all of creation.

Soon, Paul says that, “That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” – Romans 8:21.   Some animals can sting us, bite us, even strangle us and eat!  But that’s not what God first intended. Christ came to undo the fall of mankind and all creation and bring us all back to Him.

The Bible is full of analogies of how God loves us, like a food farmer or shepherd loves his animals.  Isaiah said, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” – Isaiah 40:11

1. For example, the lamb symbolizes innocence and purity, reminding us of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins.  2.. The lion represents strength and courage, reflecting God's power and authority.  3. The dove signifies peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Each animal mentioned in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's creation, His attributes, and the lessons He desires to teach us through His Word. And I would guess that the dove mentioned in Genesis, when Noah sent it out to see if the waters had receded, was the same variety that lighted  upon Jesus as He was baptized.  But here’s the significance of doves: The variety called the  “mourning dove” is known for forming strong, monogamous bonds. When one mate dies, the surviving dove shows  distress. This distress may include vocalizations, a decrease in activity, and even refusing to eat. Mourning doves might remain solitary for the rest of their lives when they lose their mate, and avoid interaction with other doves, showcasing the depth of their grief.   Animals were imagined and born by God.  Sometimes when I look into the eyes of my dogs, I wonder if I am looking into His eyes. My dogs so much love, appreciation—-and they really do forgive me when I have to go away or when I forget to fill their water or food bowls.  They teach me something about the heart of God.

And here’s something we might forget: It was the innocent blood of a lamb, a goat, a sheep, a calf or even a little dove that atoned for the sins of men prior to Jesus sacrifice.  Animals paid for our sins with their lives!—-their poured out blood on an altar, to cover the sins of the Israelites, was as a precursor of what God Himself would do when Christ’s blood was at calvary. He was the penultimate blood offering of a pure lamb.

God saw innocence in the blood of those little creatures —something that was lacking in mankind’s blood. Animals had an essential part…. and future significance in our very salvation!

Children play beside the monument to Leo, a dachshund that defended a child from an attack by another dog, at a public park in Pancevo, 12 kilometers east of Belgrade, Serbia. When a raging bull-mastiff cross-breed attacked a ten-year-old girl, Leo fearlessly jumped to her rescue, barking and biting at the dog way above his size and strength. Leo paid his courage with his life, but the citizens of a northern Serbian town have made sure he is not forgotten. The engraving on the monument reads: "Leo, to all the small heroes with big hearts”….