Protection Underseas

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 3min
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
Sea anemones are sea animals that look like flowers. Touching their poisonous tentacles means death to small fishes and other digestible sea animals. A fish called amphiprion works jointly with one of the sea anemones by taking the responsibility of driving away the anemone’s enemies. This particular anemone relies on the amphiprion for its protection. It will not even fully open unless it knows that its “friend” is close by. The fish “tells” this to the anemone by touching it occasionally.
The benefit of this relationship to the amphiprion is that it shares the food caught by the sea anemone. The anemone will never try to hurt its friend. However, if something does happen to accidentally push the fish into the tentacles of the anemone, it will be paralyzed and eaten.
A similar mutual benefit exists between another sea anemone and the snapping shrimp. This anemone also has many enemies among the larger fish that like to feed on it. Although not very large, the shrimp can make a loud snap with its large claw. The noise frightens the sea anemone’s enemies, and they usually leave the area quickly.
The sea anemone does not sting nor bother the shrimp. It is allowed to swim freely around the anemone and to burrow near its base where it hides from its own enemies.
How nice to have a friend standing beside you when danger threatens or when life’s problems seem too great to bear alone. God has made these ocean residents helpers to one another, but it is not likely that they understand more than the fact that a helper is nearby.
God gives us a true picture of ourselves in the Bible: “Man is born unto trouble” (Job 5:77Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:7)). The Apostle Paul also recognized this when he asked, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Here is his happy answer: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-2524O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:24‑25)).
Yes, we are happy to tell you there is “a Friend that [sticks] closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:2424A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)) and to repeat David’s words: “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee” (Psalm 9:9-109The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalm 9:9‑10)). These are comforting words.
This same Friend extends this loving invitation to you: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). If you have accepted Him as your Saviour, He also gives you these words of assurance: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)).
Do you know this Friend as your personal companion and safeguard?
ML-10/13/2002