In my last post, Harry and the Blackbird, I told the story about what we witnessed in the park last Sunday. (What follows will make more sense if you read that first.) It was amazing, and has been hanging around in my mind ever since.
We have often watched “Harry,” as Jim calls him, walking around in the shallows, seeking a fish. His movements are fascinating: So graceful, so measured, and so. . .predatory. I don’t know what other word to use. I don’t think that Harry or any other carnivorous animal is evil; however, his actions, (and the actions of other predators) illustrate some characteristics of evil.
The Apostle Peter describes the devil as a “roaring lion, [who] walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8b) We have probably all seen images of a lion, stalking prey in the tall grass. Lions are opportunistic, going for the weak or sick ones, the young, or the ones who are easily separated from the rest of the herd.
When we study the moves of a predator, we can understand our spiritual enemy a little better. That is why Peter warns the faithful believers to “be sober (literally, “not drunk” or not under the influence of this world, but also “serious”) and watchful.” (I Peter 5:8a)
When I hear “be watchful,” I can’t help but think of the small birds: The songbirds, the sparrows, the finches, and the blackbirds, of course. All of the smaller birds keep their heads up, always watching, always looking around.
When I was out getting sunrise pictures a couple of years ago, I was frustrated in trying to get them to look toward me. I wanted a picture! But now I realize they were scanning the horizon, always watching for predators.
And we are meant to think of the birds as object lessons. They are doing what we, as Christians, should be doing: WATCHING.
We are pursued by an enemy that pretends indifference, but is single-mindedly plotting our destruction. He appears to be trotting around, his attention elsewhere, but the deceiver is actually attempting to herd us into an area from which there is no escape.
But it’s a fool’s errand, for we are never without a route of escape. Our escape was provided by the Lord Jesus Christ, and all we ever need to do is to look to Him, to turn back from the path that leads to death, and to walk toward His open arms and into eternal life!
Think about the story of Harry and the Blackbird, and consider what might have happened to the little bird if she had gone to her friends for advice, as we often do, instead of following her instinct, her God-given direction:
“Run away! Run away! You’re going to get killed!” One sparrow might give this advice in a state of panic, thinking about what she might do if her nest was being attacked. But though running away is the easiest thing she could have done, it would certainly have lead to the death of Lady blackbird’s eggs.
“Go for the eyes!” a bluejay might suggest; eager to see the spectacle, but having no courage to try it himself. But the eyes of a heron are very near his cruel beak, and that advice might be suicide.
“Just ignore it,” a house finch might say. “You always make a big deal about everything. Why would such an impressive gentleman be interested in a tiny thing like you?”
Our tendency is to ignore the evil around us, because who wants to look at that? But ignoring evil means that it will go on, unchecked. If the blackbird had ignored the heron, he might very well have taken both her and her eggs. In contrast, God calls us to resist the devil, and promises that when we resist him, the devil will flee from us. (James 4:7)
Each of these bad suggestions make “common sense,” from a human point of view, but they would all lead to death for either the mother bird or her eggs. But Lady Blackbird has been given wisdom by God so that she can defend herself strategically. And because she is weak but obedient, her actions lead to victory, and glorify God.
While we were watching Harry and the blackbird’s interaction, I was mostly sure that the heron would spoil the eggs. I was cringing, wondering if I wanted to watch any more. But when he flew after her and left the eggs alone, it felt like something spiritual happened! Harry wanted the eggs, and he was determined to get the eggs no matter what; so why would he break off and go after the blackbird?
For the new life inside the eggs, it was a miraculous escape. Lady Blackbird’s obedience (to her God-given instinct) lead to victory! (And that’s true for us, too.)
How do we know Lady Blackbird was actually obeying God? Because the principles of her behavior mirror what God has revealed to us about Himself.
1) She prepared a safe, protected place for her family.
Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)
2) She mounted a defense against the attacker.
(Jesus fought and defeated death for us!)
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” (Hebrews 2:14 NLT)
3) She valued her children above her own life.
(Jesus died for you!)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Do you see how she “followed Christ?”
God reveals Himself in His amazing, mysterious Creation, and I hope you see it, too!
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20 NLT)
Much love to you all, my brothers and sisters! Have a glorious rest of the week! I urge you to watch the world around you, even the “insignificant” things, with these ideas in mind. Who knows what you might witness between the ant and the ladybug, or what other revelations God has prepared for you?
The Fullers Four 