A dear FB friend recently posted a link regarding a canine 9-11 Word Trade Center hero named Daisy. Daisy’s story was so touching but turned out to be a fabrication. Well, the link below tells of Roselle, the seeing-eye guide dog whose heroics at the WTC might possibly be the basis of Daisy’s fictional story. This loyal canine saved her unsighted companion and numerous others as she led them down 78 flights of stairs in darkened stairwells on that fateful day. Roselle’s true story is no less compelling and her human companion happens to be an UCI alum!
The loyal and loving animal companions. It seems that there were several devoted four-legged furry friends featured in various internet posts these weeks. A couple of days ago, in our daily reading, we came upon a particularly notable beast of burden, Balaam’s donkey in the book of Numbers. Actually, I’m not sure what to make of Balaam. He was gifted to be able to receive and to speak out a word from God, but he was obviously most interested in financial gain and ultimately provided the Moabites the evil advice that Balak sought for to bring down the Israelites. But I think there is something very noble about his insightful donkey. The portion in Numbers 23-24 records how the “diviner” could not see the angel of the Lord with drawn sword and yet his lowly donkey could, not just once, but three times. Does the love of money make one blind? Though the donkey was struck for her life-saving acts, she was loyal to her master and endured it for his sake. What’s interesting is that the angel was intending to spare the donkey and told Balaam so.
We have to remember that the animals, great and small were all created for God’s good pleasure as well. And the Lord Jesus Himself is called the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is often symbolized as the gentle dove. Perhaps for those who resist the truth of the Creator for mankind might consider the reality of the Creator for the animals. Animals often override the instinct for self-preservation in their interactions with mankind. There are numerous stories about military and service dogs, even pets, dogs and cats who put their own lives in danger for the sake of their human companions. If these creatures act above and beyond the sum of their instinctive behaviors, how does evolutionary theory account for that? The man most endowed with divine wisdom and reason peppers the Proverbs with examples from the animal kingdom, like the industrious ant, the rank and file locusts, and the soaring eagle.
The Lord Jesus Himself when with the disciples gives the most telling example of God’s care for the animals. The Lord reminds us, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7. Every “insignificant” sparrow is remembered by God. Whenever we consider creation and the universe, we are impressed with the magnitude of God’s power and wisdom. More than that, we must appreciate the magnitude of His love and mercy and put ourselves on the receiving end of His love and mercy (by faith). If God cares for the sparrows, then surely, we need to trust His loving care for us. Even the hairs on our heads are numbered!
Creation waits eagerly for the Children of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19) Can hardly wait!
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