She looked to be about ten years old and her maternal instincts were soaring as she came out of the pet store. Cradled in her arms was a plastic bag filled with water. I never did see the fish because she was doing her best to protect it from the single digit temperature in the parking lot. No mother hen was more attentive than she. How could I not but think of Luke 13:34? Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killed the prophets, and stoned them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
It was Jesus who led the children of Israel out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. It was Jesus who supplied them with water from the rock and manna each morning. For 1500 years He had cared for them and now when He came to them they would not have Him. He did not meet their expectations of what the Messiah was to be.
Often times our loving, caring God does not meet our expectations. When horrible things happen to good people we have to remind ourselves that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. He would love to save us from all pain and suffering but He is involved in a great war with evil. The ultimate victory will only come when we and the universe see where sin and selfishness take us. There are intellectual issues raised by Lucifer that must be resolved so sin will be ended forever. Only then will we be safe to save. We must never be allowed to carry our disease to the rest of God’s kingdom.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 17, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org