The sea anemone, living on the bottom of the ocean in many places, is not a plant but an unusual sea animal. It can move slowly, but it usually anchors itself to a rock. Its “flowers,” though pretty, are equipped with tiny poisonous threads that wrap around a fish that swims close to it. After the fish is paralyzed, the tentacles slowly drag the fish into a hidden mouth, which means the end of the fish.
But there are a few fish that are not bothered by the anemone and can swim around its tentacles. These fish eat the particles falling from the anemone's mouth, as well as catching other little fish that come close before the anemone's tentacles can paralyze them.
One of these immune to the poison is the little clown fish, a very pretty bit of bright-red marine life decorated with a few bold white stripes. When not eating, it often snuggles down for a rest on the colorful petal-like tentacles of the sea anemone, which don't affect it.
Another fish that is immune to the sea anemone's poison is the damselfish, but it is a favorite food of some large fish. When pursued, the damselfish will dash into the “petals” of the anemone. It has been known to even dive through the anemone's mouth into its stomach without any harm and soon finds its way back out. No one can explain how it can do this without being killed, but it is an amazing example of the Creator's ways with what He has created. The Bible says of the Creator, “All things are possible unto Thee” (Mark 14:3636And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36)).
One more sea creature with no fear of the sea anemone is the anemone shrimp. It lives right inside the anemone’s many tentacles. Sooner or later a large fish, spotting it there but wise enough to stay out of reach of the anemone itself, will stop and open its mouth wide. The shrimp promptly swims out and picks parasites off its teeth that the fish can't otherwise get rid of. When that tasty job is finished, the fish swims away and the shrimp returns to its strange home.
Sea anemones, although very beautiful, cause the death of many fish. It reminds us of the temptations that Satan puts in the pathway of everyone, young or old. He is “as a roaring lion, [walking] about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)).
If the Lord Jesus is our Saviour and we put on “the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:1111Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)), He is our protector and will keep us in His ways. Satan will not be able to harm us. Another Bible verse tells us to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:55Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)).
ML-11/16/2008