‘Great is Thy Faithfulness'
“Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne;
Love and faithfulness go before You.” Psalm 89:14
Well, it is wonderful to see you here this morning with your pets! I
know they mean a lot to you, as ours always have to us. We love their
trust, their faithfulness, their love, and the special little ways they
often reserve just for us with whom they live.
Today is a special day in the year when we remember, not only our
pets, but all the animals world-wide, some of which face extinction,
frequently because of man’s greed. Others are treated with cruelty, such
as the bears in places like Asia. Others live in appalling conditions,
even here in Australia. If you ever watch the RSPCA television programm,
you will know what I mean when I speak of wanton neglect; often because
people don’t even know what they are doing. We can be grateful for
organizations such as the RSPCA, and WIRES, which rescues and cares for
injured or distressed native birds and animals.
For centuries, mankind believed that birds and animals had no real
intelligence. They could be taught certain things but the general belief
was that their behaviour was purely instinctive. Gradually, scientists
and others are beginning to realize that birds, animals and even insects
have minds that reason. Some years ago I read an article written by a
scientist. He said that one day he observed a wasp trying to take a
spider it had caught, down into its hole. A stone had fallen in the way
of the wasp’s hole. The scientist wrote of his astonishment when he
observed that the wasp was, in his opinion, not blindly or instinctively
trying to move the stone, but calculating how best it could be done!
A few months ago, there was a thought-provoking little article in The
Newcastle Herald, written by John von Radowitz. It was headed “Flies
Make Up Their Minds To Be Irritating.” The article went on to record
that scientists have found evidence of free will in fruit flies! It said
that if confirmed the discovery might overturn basic assumptions about
differences between humans and animals. Some researchers (the article
continued) are asserting that the blowfly or wasp that will not leave
you alone is not innocently reacting to a biological programm, but is
actually choosing to be a pest!
Dr George Sugihara, one of the researchers from the Scripps
Institution of Oceanography at the university of California said, “The
results indicate a mechanism which might be common to many other animals
and could form the biological foundation for what we experience as free
will.” (The research is reported in the online journal PLUS ONE). God
created the universe, and His hand is upon it. All creation lives and
sings to the tune of its Creator, far beyond what mankind has ever
dreamed of, but slowly new facts are emerging to astonish us.
The Psalmist gazes in awe upon the immensity of the universe and
asks, “What is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man,
that You care for him?” (Psalm 8).
The 18th century English poet, William Blake reflected deeply on the
seen and unseen world around him. He wrote a beautiful poem called “The
Tiger,” which marvels at the beauty and power of such a creature. Verse
one goes:
“Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?”
Throughout the ages, mankind has, in awe and amazement, looked upon
the world and the universe around him, recording his wonder in word and
song, and now science is leading us into new kinds of wonders. I see
here none other than the hand of our Creator God. Nothing else explains
it or can explain it. Of course that view is not universal. My
understanding is based on faith. Not everyone’s is.
Let’s move on. It is fine to ponder the intelligence of birds,
animals and even insects, but there must be more. It would be rather
boring if all we could say about the other creatures with whom we share
our world was that they had intelligence. Even computers have
intelligence!
There must be more, and there is. While not sure about insects, we do
know that God has given animals personality. Not only do we know that
from our own experience with our own pets, but again science is reaching
out. There have been numerous studies done on animals in the wild to
confirm it. There was a study on kangaroos some time ago. A mob of
kangaroos was followed. All were given names and their habits and
activities watched and recorded carefully. It was soon unmistakably
clear that each animal had a distinct personality. The results were
brought to us via a fascinating TV programme. Other tests done on other
animals confirm it. It would seem all animals and birds have
personalities that identify them individually.
There is also something beyond personality itself. Intelligence and
personality are great, and some believe the animal kingdom is confined
to those alone. Here, let me stick out my neck. I believe that animals
have a soul. I believe it from the biblical evidence, which I am happy
to share with anyone. It all hinges on the Hebrew word Nephesh, which is
translated ‘breath of life,’ which in Hebrew means ‘soul.’
First, according to the Book of Genesis, (1:22) God blessed the
animals. Dr John H. Sailhamer, writing in “The Expositor’s Bible
Commentary” says: ‘The importance of the blessing in (Genesis 1) verse
28 cannot be overlooked. … the living creatures have already been
blessed on the fifth day (verse 22); thus the author’s view of the
blessing extends beyond man to the whole of God’s living creatures.” An
American writer Kit Goodwin points out that in the Old Testament ‘soul’
is mentioned 244 times. In those 244 cases, there are only four times
where a word other than “nephesh” is used to describe ‘soul’. Very
significantly for our case, Genesis 1:30 has these words: “...and to all
the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the
creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the breath of
life (nephesh in combination with chayyah), I give every green plant for
food. And it was so." (NIV).
I’m not prepared to argue the point. I am sure there will be others
with compelling reasons for animals’ not having souls, but I think the
biblical evidence is quite conclusive. I am however quite prepared for
others to have their own, possibly contrary, views, and that’s OK.
Moving on again, I’ve had animals all my life and I have loved them
all, as I am certain you’ve loved each of yours. Those in close and
loving contact with their animals see in them the highest of noble
qualities: patience, devotion, forgiveness, love, loyalty, trust – even
grief. They offer a love that is completely selfless and a faithfulness
that is boundless. God indeed blessed the animals, and He gave them
those peerless qualities. I am captivated by a magpie that lives near
us. She trusts me completely and accepts food from time to time, from my
hand. Yesterday, she caroled a song, just to me. I felt honoured.
There are countless tales of faith and love, but I would like to
share with you one that you may have heard of – the true story of
“Greyfriars Bobby.” Bobby was a Skye terrier, and his owner was an
Edinburgh policeman by the name of John Gray. The story is from the mid
19th century. The constable patrolled the Edinburgh streets, usually at
night, and was accompanied always by his lovely little Skye terrier,
Bobby.
Unfortunately, in 1858 John Gray fell ill and died. Among those at
his funeral at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh was his little mate,
Bobby. That night, John Gray’s relatives discussed what to do with
Bobby, but the little dog had made up his own mind. During the night he
slipped his lead and ran back to the cemetery.
The following morning the curator of the cemetery found him lying on
his master’s grave and shooed him home. The next morning however, there
was Bobby back again, defiantly lying on his master’s grave and was
again sent off. The same thing happened again and then again. The
graveyard curator, a kind man, took pity on the grieving little animal,
lying there in the cold, and brought him some food. That was the start
of an amazing saga of faithfulness. Bobby was there every day, for the
rest of his life. Fourteen years later, in 1872, he died. The beautiful
little dog was buried not far from his master.
The story, however, inspired the people of Edinburgh and beyond.. A
statue of Bobby was erected in Edinburgh and can be seen to this day,
and I am privileged to say that I myself have seen it. The story of
Bobby is not unique; nor are the stories confined to dogs. There are
countless tales of animals of all sorts, as well as birds, who have
displayed intelligence, as well as peerless love, faith, devotion and
loyalty in their interaction with us. Their lives of love and
faithfulness remind us of the words of our text: “…Love and
faithfulness go before You.”
Paul, in our reading from Romans chapter 8, speaks of the Lord’s
faithfulness from which nothing can ever separate us; neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor
any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation.
(Rom 8:38,39). Love and faithfulness are among the highest pinnacles of
virtue. God’s love and faithfulness surround us, to touch us and to help
us to become more like Him.
God has given us a beautiful world; more beautiful than we can
possibly imagine, and as we look about us, and up to the starry
firmament, we can see signs of His majesty and power. (Romans 1:20).
Look even closer, and there, chasing a ball or barking a greeting or
sleeping comfortably on the lounge or curled up on a lap or singing
sweetly is a delightful creature, a beautiful, faithful and loving gift
from God, Who has placed them in our keeping. May we always honour them,
and all creatures great and small.
For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd:
He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:17).
- By The Reverend Anthony Lang Of New South
Wales
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