See the gentle fawns! They have been suddenly startled. in their peaceful grazing among the grass and flowers, by some sound. And now, with raised heads and outstretched necks, they come forward to receive the grass from the little child’s hand. The fawn is a very timid creature, and when hunted and chased, as it often is, its safety lies in flight. It will not turn and fight its enemies, as most of animals will do, but will seek to escape from them. And being able to run very swiftly, it can often elude its pursuers.
In this, and in the provision made for other animals, we see God’s wisdom in caring for His creatures, fitting each for the place in which He has put it. He plants the lofty cedars where the birds may make their nests; He makes the fir tree with its “spreading boughs” in which the stork can find a house. The high hills are made a refuge for the wild goats, which leap from crag to crag and find their shelter in the fastnesses of the mountain sides; and the little conies make their house among the rocks. God suits the darkness and the light to His creatures also; He makes the darkness, and it is night, and then the beasts of the forest creep out of their dens, and the young lions seek their meat from Him. The sun rises arid the wild beasts gather themselves together again, and lie down in their dens, while man goes forth to his work and labors until evening. How beautifully, in this, is seen God’s care for the wild creatures, giving them the darkness of the night to find their living, while to man He gives the light of day to enjoy and to go forth to his labors. He is not forgetful, either, of the need the creatures have to quench their thirst, and He “sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field.” “O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS! IN WISDOM HAST THOU MADE THEM ALL; THE EARTH IS FULL OF THY RICHES.” Ps. 104:10-24.
ML 12/11/1904