Lessons from a Canine…

 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe.—Proverbs 18:10

Yes, in the way of Your judgments,

O LORD, we have waited for You;

The desire of our soul is for Your name

And for the remembrance of You.—Isaiah 26:8

I have an 8 pound poodle who is always on high alert.  Today as I read these verses I realized that for him, I am his strong tower.  His eyes seek my comfort and my direction when he is scared.  He barks and I (most times) tell him quietly that it is okay…that there is no need for fear or alarm. I direct him to his spot near where I sit and he settles…until the next time. Sometimes comforting him requires more than words.  Sometimes, like when there is a buzzing insect in the house, nothing short of my lap will do. 

Buzzing insects, you say?  Wolf (yes, lots of irony in that name) is petrified of buzzing insects. If there is one in the house, he literally shakes in fear.  In his fear and trembling, he does whatever he can to hide and protect himself from the infernal buzzing.  My lap becomes his goal. Once there, his trembling slowly begins to ease and lessen. For the next few hours, Wolf becomes my shadow.  He, as the Bible puts it, follows hard after me.  He keeps me in his sights. We, as humans, can learn a lot from dogs. 

Beloved….Praying today that each of us, when our hearts begin to fear and even sink within us, that we flee to You and hold tight. You, Jesus, are the anchor of our souls. You are where our heart finds strong encouragement and our inner man is strengthened. You will not allow our feet to slip or our grip to break down no matter what pressure is brought to bear on it. Today, then, we will come (we will run) to You with our anxieties and fears.  You will keep us safe from peril. Isaiah 25:4-5 is perfect here.

4 For You have been a strength to the poor,

A strength to the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm,

A shade from the heat;

For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

5 You will reduce the noise of aliens,

As heat in a dry place;

As heat in the shadow of a cloud,

The song of the terrible ones will be diminished.—Isaiah 25:4-5

The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."—Zephaniah 3:17

The eternal God is your refuge,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

He will thrust out the enemy from before you,

And will say, ‘Destroy!’—Deuteronomy 33:27

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Selah—Psalm 46:1-3

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name

Be joyful in You.

12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.—Psalm 5:11-12