He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
I’ve been very fortunate to spend time with and to study various animals. I grew up in farm country, and we always had a few shelter dogs around the place and a couple of cats and horses in the barn. I seldom went out to the woods without a four-legged companion by my side.
Going behind the scenes at some fascinating wildlife research facilities or sanctuaries has been a perk of my job. I’ve also participated in the live-trapping of bears and other critters. And I’ve observed lots of elephants and giraffe and lions and monkeys and other wildlife whilst living in Africa. There have been times when I have been far too close to some large wild animals for my own good, but fortunately the Lord has always kept me safe.
From my observation, it may be possible that animals are more in touch with their surroundings than I am. And I don’t mean just the predator/prey awareness. Perhaps they see and perceive a bit more than many people ever give them credit for.
I’ve heard some folks adamantly proclaim that our pets will never be in heaven. They may be right, but I’m not so sure. I do know from His Word that we can’t even imagine what wonderful things God has in store for us when we get to the end of our race, and that He is able to do far above all we can ask or imagine. And I can imagine a lot. From God’s Word, it appears that everything He created has value in His sight. He speaks of this over and over in certain passages. How much more valuable, perhaps, are the ones He gives as companions to His own children. Not sure how to become God’s child? See Got God?
Although not a complete list, here are a few Scriptures to consider:
“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you–the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you–every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” Genesis 9:9-17 NIV
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9 NIV
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22 NLT
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has in store for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
And in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
And through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Colossians 2:20 NLT
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Hope you have a great day.
