If you were in the wilds of Mexico or Central or South America and found yourself face-to-face with a strange brown animal known as the tapir, the first thing you probably would notice would be that, although it is as big as a small donkey, with its short legs, tiny tail and pig-like head, it looks more like an overgrown pig.
It would be a special treat if a baby tapir were there, too, for they are really cute, weighing only about 15 pounds when born and with white stripes all along their backs and sides. When resting in the grass they might be mistaken for a big watermelon.
If you didn’t show any sign of wanting to hurt the tapir you would find it wouldn’t hurt you, either, for the Creator has given it a shy and gentle nature. Their food includes such things as water plants, grass, leaves and fruit, and they never kill another animal unless in self-defense.
These animals stay close to their homes, but make paths for miles through the thick jungle. Some lead to water holes which they visit morning and evening, enjoying a swim and wallowing in the mud to get rid of ticks and other pests. They also walk along the bottom of these ponds, even though completely submerged, and slide down banks into the water for the fun of it.
About their only enemy is the fearsome jaguar. However, when a jaguar springs on a tapir it receives an unexpected, rough ride through low brush where it will quite likely be knocked off. But if it hangs on, it next finds the tapir jumping into deep water and going on down beneath the surface. At that point the jaguar gives up.
Tapirs remind us of the great variety of animals placed on earth by the Creator and His untiring care and provisions for all. We know, however, the lives of animals are for this world only, but that God has given to each of us an everlasting life and provided a way in which that life can be spent happily in heaven with Him.
A few verses from the Bible explain how this can be. First we need to understand clearly “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). That is a tragic statement, but happily we are told, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). We also read this wonderful statement: “Therefore being justified by faith [in the Lord as our Saviour], we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).
If you want that peace and everlasting life in heaven, think about these important Bible verses.
ML-10/19/1986