Some men were traveling in eastern Africa by the Blue Nile River, where the rocky banks were so steep, no one would dare to climb them.
On those great rocks they saw some small animals, quiet, as though enjoying the sunshine. But, at once, they saw the men, and giving sharp squeals, they instantly ran and disappeared in the cracks and holes between the big rocks.
The little creatures had gone so quickly that the men could scarcely describe them, except to say they were of a brown color, and like little fat dogs. The guide told them they were conies.
These little animals are not found in all lands, but are in parts of Asia and Africa. They have no way to fight an enemy, and are very afraid of other animals, or of the great eagles which often take larger animals than they. So they never venture far from their homes in the rocks, and at any alarm, swiftly hide in the rocks.
One of the men who knew the Bible verses about the conies said that seeing these proved to him how very true were the Bible words about these small animals:
Only by blasting the big rocks could those conies have been found.
The food of the conies is grass and plants, and their feet are so shaped to easily run among rocks. God has fitted all creatures for their special places and given them the instinct to protect themselves. And He says of the conies that they are little, but “exceeding wise”.
We learn from the conies, for we too are feeble, and could not endure the judgment of God against sin, nor fight the enemy, Satan. But Christ is spoken of as our Rock and refuge. If wise, we will trust, or hide, in Him.
The conies are a “feeble folk”,
But make “the rocks” their home;
Whatever dangers are abroad,
To them they cannot come.
The beasts go forth to seek their prey
The lion leaves his lair,
But in the rocks all safely hid,
They cannot reach them there.
The thunders overhead may roll,
The lightnings flash and kill,
Within their rocky, refuge home,
The conies fear no ill.
Like them I am a feeble one,
Yet hid in Christ the Rock;
I fear no mighty roaming foe,
Nor coming judgment’s shock.
ML 09/25/1938