There is a musical instrument called the lyre, which has two curved arms reaching up from the base and a series of strings stretched between them. When explorers in Australia first caught sight of a pheasant-size bird with feathers spread out just like the lyre, they promptly named it the “Lyre Bird.”
Actually only the male bird has the beautiful feathers, and he displays them only in the winter and spring. He moves around in the forest, busily scratching for worms, snails, etc., with large, powerful feet and curved claws given to him by the Creator. He is not much of a flier, but can run fast, holding his long tail straight out behind him so it will not be damaged by the brush.
The music of the lyre instrument is sweet, but we cannot say the same for the Lyre Bird except when it imitates another bird’s pleasant song. It is a great imitator, not only of other birds, but will quickly imitate the bark of a dog, the noise of a gasoline engine, the wail of a cat, or most any other sound. It is more talented than a parrot with these tricks.
During the winter the Lyre Bird looks for a mate. He sings loudly some of the tunes he has copied from other birds. Finding a clear spot in the forest, he scratches up a mound of dirt, climbs up on it, and displays his 16 beautiful tail feathers. He raises them in lyre-like shape some 30 inches high, waving and bending them forward over his head. This is a beautiful sight to see—looking like a delicate, beautiful fan.
While on the mound, he does a lively dance which lasts an hour or so, as other birds and animals gather round to watch. But if the companion he seeks does not show up, he moves on to another mound already prepared some distance away and repeats the whole act. This may go on for several days, visiting several mounds, until finally a female appears and responds to his charm. Then, having won a mate, he helps build an oval-domed nest in the fork of a tree or in the undergrowth where she lays just one egg. Then he deserts her, going back to his mounds to look for another companion while she hatches out the lone chick. This continues well into the spring.
In spite of his beauty, the male Lyre Bird is really a very vain creature, isn’t he? The way he deserts his companions spoils our admiration of him, too. His actions remind us of Satan and even of some persons who make themselves attractive, but are not really on the inside what they appear to be on the outside. But God is never deceived. The Bible tells us “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:77But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7). How solemn to realize that the Lord “searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” 1 Chronicles 28:99And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (1 Chronicles 28:9). We cannot hide from God. He knows all about us every moment of our lives.
How good it is to confess that we need Him to guide and direct our lives and to know “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21). Have you done this?
ML-11/28/1982