In the cold, snowy areas of both Canada and Norway live furry little animals called lemmings. They are only about six inches long, including their tail and are dark brown in color with yellow-white stomachs. Lemmings’ sudden appearance in great numbers and equally swift disappearance have puzzled scientists for years.
Living in such cold climates, the Creator has wisely supplied them with warm coats and furry boots with padded soles. Underneath deep winter snows they live active lives, eating grass, other vegetation and lichens.
Early in June they come to the surface of the snow, often so many that they look like moving blankets. During spring and summer two or three litters of little ones are raised, greatly increasing their numbers. When all available food is devoured, they become restless and begin great migrations, always (in Norway) going west. At times they are so abundant that they spread out a mile or more wide, all moving west as they eat. They are good swimmers, crossing lakes and rivers en route.
Hungry animals and birds, such as foxes, weasels, owls, hawks, etc. feed on them. They are in such great numbers that those caught are hardly missed. However, when being chased, some lemmings panic and on reaching the ocean, plunge in, swimming on westward and eventually drowning. Some remain behind, raise new families, and in a few years appear again in great numbers.
In Canada the lemmings live north of the Arctic circle on the mainland and on polar islands where there is vegetation underneath the snow and ice. Although brown in summer, their coats change to pure white in winter. Eskimos use their fur to make warm clothes. Their little girls enjoy making doll clothes out of the fur, too.
It seems sad that such pretty little animals should become the food of birds of prey and cruel animals, or drown in ocean waters. It was not like this in the day of their creation before sin entered the world. Happily, God has promised a future time when this will be corrected. The Bible says “the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption” even though “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Romans 8:21,2221Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:21‑22). When that takes place their peaceful way of life will prove the declaration, “Let everything that bath breath praise the Lord.” Psalms 150:66Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150:6).
That time will come after God’s judgment takes place on this sinful world. He will then restore all things in the beauty of His first creation. Those who know the Saviour will be taken to heaven before that judgment takes place and will look down with delight on the new creation when it is brought forth. Will you be among them?
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