"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Job 12:7-10

June 27

 

"Put put now a question to the beasts, and get teaching from them; or to the birds of the heaven, and they will make it clear to you; Or to the things which go flat on the earth, and they will give you wisdom; and the fishes of the sea will give you news of it. Who does not see by all these that the hand of the Lord has done this in whose hand is the soul of every living thing..." - Job 12:7-10 (BBE) 

 

One of life’s greatest joys is having a pet. They bring so much happiness, companionship, and enjoyment that we sometimes can't imagine life without them. Many people wonder, "Do animals have souls? Will our pets go to heaven?" While many theologians say they do not, the book of Job disagrees with this when it states the hand of the Lord holds "the soul of every living thing". This clearly includes birds, fish, beasts, etc. The book of Job also says to, "Put now a question to the beasts, and get teaching from them". The Bible also affirms animals have souls when the prophet Isaiah speaks about the heavens and says, "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox" (Is. 65:2) In Revelation 19:14, the Apostle John’s vision of heaven includes animals, showing Christ and the armies of heaven "riding on white horses". If we believe the Bible, God does indeed include animals in heaven. Scripture also says no one has any real wisdom apart from God. No research, report, or authority figure can outweigh God's opinion. When we look for guidance for our beliefs and decisions, we need to realize God's wisdom is superior to any the world has to offer.

 

Don't let the misinformed dampen your desire to know the Lord or God's Word better! Finally, if in doubt, remember the true story about the elderly widow whose beloved little dog died after 15 faithful years. Grieving, she went to her Pastor with tears streaming down her cheeks and said, "My brother says animals have no souls. My darling little dog Fluffy has died. Does that mean I won’t see her again in heaven?"

"Madam," said the pastor, "God, in his great love and wisdom has created heaven to be a place of perfect happiness. I am sure if you need Fluffy to complete your happiness, you will find her there."

 

Prayer: God, Thank you for great gifts of animals and pets. Amen.

 

Meditation For The Day: Pets offer Joy. God offers Eternal Truth.

 

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)