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Good morning brother,
Day one: Ask the animals
The Animals and Earth Teach us to Look to the Lord’s Open Hand
“Job, the righteous man who trusted God in suffering, wrote: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7-10)
Thoughts: Amazing how animals are very similar to us. Everything that has breath needs God.
“This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer… The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.” (Isaiah 43:14, 20, NLT)
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Luke 13:34
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Matthew 23:37
Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 3:19
i got a question...Are Animals free of sin?
All Dogs go to Heaven...You can't keep a Good Dog Down 😂
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Leviticus 17:11
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6
Daniel 2:38 NLT — He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.
Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth? Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
Proverbs 12:10
Daniel 4:31-32 NLT — “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
“like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.”
Deuteronomy 32:11
I am like a moth to Ephraim, like rot to the people of Judah.”
Hosea 5:12
Luke 5:4-8 NLT — When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.”
When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.”
Psalms 39:11
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
Animals rely on instinct but, humans are able to face and address situations and environments with active thinking and discerning. We are able to tell what is wrong and what is right. To top that off, we are also blessed with the power of communication. Humans can use language and nonverbal cues to instruct and relay messages for multiple purposes. However, this isn’t seen in how humans take dominion over nature. These Bible verses about nature express how advantageous it is to become human but, the message that lies within these verses allows us to reflect on whether or not we are adhering in accordance with how well we are described and made.
Animals are such an important part of our world, from the smallest of insects to the largest of the animal kingdom. But which ones were important in the Bible, and why? Were animals viewed the same way thousands of years ago as they are today?
All about Bible Animals starts with the very first animals that God created. Each double-page spread introduces another incredible creature, along with fascinating facts, Bible quotes and picture references. Tricky Bible words and concepts are explained throughout, as we discover which Bible animals were valued, feared, disliked, or even part of a miraculous rescue! As we journey through the Bible, we’ll find out that God can even use animals to help fulfil his plans and promises (and he often does).
The First Animals
Animals appear in the first chapter of the Bible. God made all kinds of animals even before he made people.
Genesis chapter 1 tells us that God created the universe and everything in it with his power. He spoke light into existence, and mountains and trees and oceans, and habitats for all kinds of creatures. God invented feathers and fins, fur and fangs, and he did it in six days!
Next time you are amazed by the details of a tiny ladybird, the swimming action of a platypus, or the strength of a soaring eagle, remember: that’s God showing you how imaginative and how mind-blowingly powerful he is.
Scripture compares God to a number of different things. Indeed, not only is there the comparison to certain characteristics which humans have there is also the comparison with certain traits in animals. In fact, God’s actions are compared to such things as a lion, lamb, an eagle, mother hen, and a moth.
Like a lion, the Lord is strong. He rules over everything. The Lord is King over all things.
On the other hand, like a lamb, there is the gentleness in His character. He is tender and loving; especially to those who are His.
Like the soaring eagle the God of Scripture looks down on all things. Nothing escapes His notice.
Jesus compared Himself to a mother hen who looks after her young. With loving care, God watches out for those who are His own. He wants to gather them under “tender wings.”
God is also compared to a moth. He eats away at those things which are valuable to the wicked. Indeed, He makes it clear that everything material will one day perish.
These descriptions are given to describe the way God acts, not what He looks like. He does not look like an animal. Yet, there are certain traits in animals which give us a greater appreciation for who God is and what He does. We can certainly understand these analogies.
Thank you for another great day of Zoom Battle Prayer.