I love animals. I’ll admit that I love some more than others. I have a running debate with a good friend of mine. She believes our pets will be in Heaven someday. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if there are animals in Heaven, but am not convinced that they will be our pets. After all, when God created His perfect earth in the first place, He put lots of animals onboard. So, I could certainly enjoy having some animals in Heaven.

Last night, I got to see one of my favorite animals, a fox, under rather unusual circumstances. We have a neat park not too far from our home. It used to be the estate of one of the original families in this area. The county ended up with it and have turned it into a lovely gathering place. A full-flowing creek runs into the Intercoastal Waterway along one side. They recently installed a triple gazebo back in the trees for family picnics.

I’d been to see one of my favorite people. Oscar is 102 years old. We visit two or three evenings a week. I take him soft cookies. He only has two teeth! After I visited with Oscar and before I went to pick our granddaughter up at work, I had about half an hour. I pulled into the park and drove back to the picnic area. I got out of Tonka 02 and sat at one of the picnic tables.

Soon after I arrived, a car sped into the parking lot near where I was sitting. Quite frankly, it was an unwelcome interruption of my time to just sit, think, meditate, and relax. Then she let this huge dog out of her car. I’m using the name “Rascule” (Rascal) in order to protect his identity. I wouldn’t want him embarrassed if he happens to access this piece!

Rascule ran through the woods and across the neatly mown lawns. Technically, we have a leash law in our county, but Rascule wasn’t on a leash. I couldn’t blame him. He was running free and wild. After a bit, I heard a different kind of barking sound. I knew from experience that it was the sound of a fox. Rascule heard it, too. He slid to a stop, threw it into reverse and went tearing after the fox. I had a perfect vantage from which to view the whole thing. He chased the fox in large circles. I discovered that foxes can turn circles much easier than can a dog!

Finally, the fox appeared to be somewhat cornered. The dog began closing in, yapping and yelping. The dog’s owner was hollering his name, telling him in no uncertain terms that he was to obey her and get back in the car. She explained to him at the top of her lungs what she was going to do to him if he didn’t obey. All to no avail.

Now, I understand about food chains and natural instincts. As painful as it seems sometimes, animals do attack each other, sometimes because they’re hungry, other times because they’re mean and/or territorial. I was rooting for the fox with all my heart. I didn’t see any way to intervene and change what appeared to be the eventual outcome. Rascule had caught the scent of victory and was doing everything he could to get the fox.

As he got in pretty close, I could see that the fox was tiring. After all, the fox was about a third the size of the dog. Suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, the balance of power shifted! In a last ditch effort at self- preservation, the fox lashed out with one of its paws and raked his claws across the dog’s nose. The dog immediately lost all desire to dominate and defeat the fox. He began yelping and yowling. He ran straight for his master’s car and began begging to be allowed in. The wise fox, while savoring its unexpected victory, headed off in a totally different direction, content to escape with life, limb and fur.

Now let’s shift from the animal world to the people world. While we expect animals to follow their natural instincts and behave accordingly, in the human world, we, too, face danger from our greatest natural enemy – satan. The Bible describes him as a roaring lion roaming the earth trying to devour God’s people. He is still as subtle as he can be. He’s tricky, he’s mean as a snake (pardon the pun) and has nothing but evil in mind for all of us.

WHAT ARE THE LIFE (OR DEATH)
LESSONS IN THIS INCIDENT?

• In God’s strength, we don’t have to hide behind a tree or a bush. We don’t have to run in circles in order to preserve our lives.
• God is greater than our enemy. He has promised that nothing satan can do can defeat us while we’re under His covering. Read the book of Job if you’d like some encouragement along that line.
• I don’t suggest that victory over the ol’ debil is always easy to achieve. However, we do have His promise of victory. God has assured us that even the very gates of hell won’t prevail against a Saint who takes the offensive.
• When we feel cornered, we mustn’t forget the weapons with which He’s provided us.
• The weapons of Word of God, prayer, meditation, fellowship with other Christians are available to us.
• Much like the fox, we have resources available from God that will tip the scales in our favor.
• We have armor (Ephesians 6:11, 13) to wear that will protect us from satan’s vicious attacks.
• With His help, we can put satan on the run and send him yipping and yelping in full retreat — looking for a place to hide!

Next Inside Out          Gallery              Previous Inside Out