Sons and Daughters Revealed

It is the night before the 4th of July, America’s celebration of independence from the British Empire.  For days now, at dusk and into the night, fire crackers and other fireworks begin to be set off.  The quiet neighborhood is interrupted with the pop pop pop and the banging of these noisemakers.  The night sky is filled with glitter and sparkle, fiery light and smoke.  My biggest concern is for the creatures who must endure this in their habitat – the outside world which is their home – and pets who hide under beds and shiver in corners or on chains outside where they cannot escape.    

I take a deep breath, and pray.  Lord Jesus, the animals need you.  Those outside who cannot hide.  Those hiding under the beds or in the corners.  Those who run in terror and who perhaps leave behind little ones.  Please carry these the least of your creatures’ suffering.  And please wake up your human creatures to their place upon the earth as those created to care for and protect the entire creation, not scare the wits out of them or tear apart their families.  Please help them find a place of respite; please help those who cannot do so by sending an angel to be with them, or send workers Lord to rescue them from their plight.  AMEN

In my grief for the animal kingdom, I turn to Jesus and a little book called “I Stand at the Door and Knock” by Corrie Ten Boom.  It is a great little guide, sort of like a devotional.  On page 141 is the chapter How to Take Stock, and a bit of comfort from God’s promises.  I share here a snippet of this wonderful book in hopes that you, too, will find hope and comfort:

“What an amazing prospect, what an incredible perspective is given to us in Romans 8.  The suffering of today cannot be compared with the glory that is awaiting us.  You may see danger and death around you, but the reality is that Jesus lives, and he is with us.  “Though you have not seen him, you love him” (1 Peter 1:8).  Particularly in the days of great oppression we will be used.  We must practice being strong when oppressed, by taking the promises of the Bible seriously.

Today many of God’s children are oppressed in a large part of the world [his creatures too].  In our days there is darkness over the whole world, knowledge of global despair, a fear of insecurity arising from all visible things.  We are shaken by what we see on television and read in the newspapers.  It all seems so senseless.  Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”  Verse 19 says, “The creation waits in eager expectation of the sons of God to be revealed.”  In the Phillips translation it says, “The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.”

Who are the sons of God?  In Romans 8:14 we read, “Those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God.”  We know the secret of God’s plan.  We can read it in Ephesians 1.  And what does this creation see when they see you and me, while it is on tiptoe?  Do they see beggars, poor wretches, or do they see the King’s children?”

God sees and knows the creatures’ sufferings; he suffers alongside them and is with them; he loves them; he has promised that they, too, shall share in the inheritance that is for those who believe and trust in him – it is theirs, too!  They shall be redeemed on that day when we see our precious Jesus face to face – they, too, shall see him face to face!  He shall wipe away every tear – he shall wipe away their tears, also!  (Revelation 21:4)  Isaiah 65:17 – “For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.”  The creation also will remember it no more!  Though you and I cannot end all of the suffering now, we can trust the Father is doing everything he can to move us forward, with each passing moment, closer to the day he fulfills his promise of peace to us (Romans 13:11); and he will restore the creatures freedom from tyranny as he keeps his promise to them:

In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.  (Hosea 2:18)

We do all we can to relieve the creation of its suffering by not partaking in that which causes it;
We speak out about it, educate others;
We take comfort in and stand on God’s promises, trusting in him and the work he is doing; and
Pray for the King’s children to be revealed!

Thank you for reading and following our blog.  We pray you are blessed by our work and will pass it along to others.  Thank you!  ~Kathy