In our last article we reviewed a number of large creatures of the north which hibernate or have other ways of surviving the cold winter months. How the Creator arranged for the smaller creatures to survive is also interesting.
Chipmunks and squirrels do not really hibernate in winter. During summer and fall they are busy burying hazelnuts, acorns and other foods or carrying them up tree trunks and hiding them in a nest-hole. They are storing up food for wintertime when they will be snug and warm in their tree-trunk nests. They spend much of their time in long naps, but wake up often to satisfy their hunger. Then they drop off to sleep again.
Arctic hares and weasels do not hibernate either, but each fall the Creator provides them with warm, thick coats of snow-white fur that keeps their bodies warm. They also are equipped with special winter “snowshoes” which enable them to move easily over the snow when searching for food.
Many mice and other small rodents spend the entire winter in nests and tunnels they have made in the ground or grass beneath deep snow. There they feed on vegetation and insects and are safe from hawks and larger animals. This also gives them good protection from the cold weather above the thick blanket of snow.
Red foxes of the north keep active through the winter too. They are provided with beautiful, thick, red winter coats. There is a dash of white at the tip of their long tails. For sleeping, they curl their long tails tightly around their curled-up bodies on top of the snow.
Many birds keep active in the winter, including bobwhites. A dozen or more will cuddle snugly together on the snow in a tight circle, each with its head pointing outward as a lookout against a fox or other threat. Ruffed grouse also stay on top of the snow. Their close-fitting, insulating feathers keep them warm. They, too, are provided with feather “snowshoes” on their feet in the winter, enabling them to walk or run over the snow with ease.
How interesting it is to look briefly into the lives and experiences of these creatures which are not aware they are under God’s care. But it is far more important for us to thank Him for His very special care over us, as the Bible verse in Psalm 23:66Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23:6) tells us: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
This is God’s promise to all who will let Him wash away their sins by trusting in the Lord Jesus. He bore the punishment on Calvary’s cross for the sins of all who will trust Him as their Saviour. Have you let Him wash your sins away?
ML-11/21/1993