A few days ago Gramma and I were given an invitation to attend a birthday party at our nephew and niece’s house. Their two boys, Kevin and Dustin, were going to share their big birthday cake with us!
Do you like birthday parties? We sure do. It’s always a time of singing and happiness. And another reason we like to go to Kevin and Dustin’s house is to play with their three pets. They have a golden-colored dog named Biscuit, a black dog named Pepper, and a pretty cat named Cocoa. As soon as we walk in the door, these three pets are right there to greet us. What a welcome!
Does God talk about animals in the Bible? He sure does. Think about David the shepherd boy. We are told in 1 Samuel 17:34 about a lion and a bear that tried to steal lambs out of his father’s flock. David rescued both of the lambs from these wild animals! Then in Matthew 12:4040For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40) we read about the whale that swallowed Jonah. God commanded the whale to throw up Jonah on dry land, and the big whale obeyed the voice of God. And then Jonah was able to preach the word of God to that great city of Nineveh. Then in 1 Kings 17:4 God used ravens to feed His servant Elijah. Ravens are big black birds, and every morning and night they brought food to Elijah. And there are other places in God’s Word where He speaks about animals, birds and fish. God created them all, and He takes good care of them.
And I know that Kevin and Dustin take good care of their pets too. As soon as we sit down in their house, Cocoa is right up on my knee, Biscuit sits on one side and Pepper sits on the other side. All three of them want me to rub their ears or shake a paw . . . all at the same time! And if I get too close, I’ll get a big slurpy doggie kiss right up the side of my face! We love it.
Children, do you know what I am thinking about while all this is going on? I’m thinking about Jesus and the many people in the Bible that He brought happiness and joy to.
Think about Zaccheus. When Jesus passed under the tree that he was sitting in, He stopped and looked up and said, “Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:55And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. (Luke 19:5)). And Zaccheus came down and received Him joyfully. What a happy meeting that was. Zaccheus was saved that very moment!
And then we read in Mark 5:4141And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. (Mark 5:41) about a young girl, just twelve years old, who had died. The people in the house were all crying and sad. But Jesus took the little girl’s hand in His hand and said, “I say unto thee, arise,” and the girl stood up and walked! All the crying was now turned into joy!
And what about the Ethiopian eunuch that Acts 8 tells us about. That man wanted to be baptized. Philip told him he could be baptized if he believed with all his heart in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the eunuch said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” What joy came into this man’s heart! And so Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Then the eunuch went on his way rejoicing!
Luke 15:1010Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10) tells us that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that [repents].” Boys and girls, will you be that one sinner to trust in the Lord Jesus today? He loves you so very much and wants to wash all your sins away. If you will trust Him today, there will be much joy and happiness in heaven, and you will have much joy and happiness too. “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:1919The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. (John 4:19)).
We had a very happy time at the birthday party, and as we left we petted Cocoa and shook a couple of paws belonging to Biscuit and Pepper. Now, if any of you who read this story have pets, God expects us to take good care of the pets He has given us. Read what He says in Proverbs 12:1010A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10).
Lots of love,
Grampa and Gramma
ML-08/26/2007