Animal Kingdom

If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner.

EXODUS 23:4

ANIMALS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE in our lives and world. God created them to be with us here on earth. Some Christians think that verses like Isaiah 65:25; Romans 8:18-22; and Revelation 19:11, 14 point to animals being in heaven too. We have a responsibility to take care of animals, whether we have small pets or we live on a ranch or our friends have animals or we just visit a zoo every now and then.

Remember when Jesus was born? He was born in a place where animals slept, and Mary laid him in a manger, where animals eat. Animals have always had a very important place in our lives, whether as our companions and friends or a source of food and labor. We rely on them for our everyday lives.

There are lots of ways we can care for animals as God intended. We can donate food to shelters, learn about horses or cats or gerbils by reading, or simply be kind to them. As today’s verse shows us, we’re all responsible for their care, even if the owner is our enemy. Animals are part of God’s creation.

DO

If you could choose any kind of animal to be your pet, what would you choose and why? Why do you think God created so many different types of animals? Think of the animal you chose. Now, using your body, do your best imitation of that animal. How is that animal different from you? What do these differences tell you about God?

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for creating a world full of amazing animals. Please help me remember to show care, respect, and love to the animals in your Kingdom. Amen.

READ

Genesis 1:24; Isaiah 65:25