PRAIRIE DOG!

‘Prairie Dog’ photo by Arnaud Steckle on Unsplash.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2.

Prairie dogs live in underground burrows 16-35 feet long and 6-10 feet deep.  There can be up to six entrances to these burrows.  These entrances are typically surrounded by mounds of hard packed soil called dome craters.                                                                           

These mounds are 8-12 inches high and serve several functions.  They protect the burrow from flooding, are angled at the top to take advantage of prevailing winds for ventilation of the burrow and serve as an observation and listening platform for the prairie dog to stand on.  They post a sentry on each dome crater to watch and listen for predators.  The 8-12- inch dome crater makes it possible for the 14-17- inch prairie dogs to be over 24 inches high when standing above the Prairie.  They also use their teeth to cut down anything surrounding the burrow to increase visibility as an additional aid in protection from predators.  

I started thinking about how dangerous it would be for the Prairie Dog to just stay underground in the comfort of its burrow.

It reminded me of the above scripture.  Like the Prairie Dog, we were never meant to stay underground in ‘mud and mire’ but were born to be ‘lifted up out of the slimy pit’ and have our ‘feet set on a rock, a firm place to stand!’  Our ‘dome crater’ is meant to be THE ROCK, who is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 10:4. I am sure there are many who could relate to the slime, mud and mire of life.  Those who have suffered from some addiction, are filled with guilt, hatred, unforgivness or even been in prison.  They would probably be the first to recognize the need to be lifted up and out of their mud and mire.  But what about those who don’t even realize they are in a pit or worse, like to live in the darkness, as Jesus said, He came as the light of the world, ‘but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.’ John 3:19. 

Are you in the darkness, feeling safe within your burrow?  Or are you like the prairie dog sentry standing tall on his dome crater also ‘lifted up’ and standing on the ‘rock’ who is Jesus Christ, ‘a firm place to stand.’  Standing tall, the prairie dog can see his predators coming HE KNOWS WHO THEY ARE!  From the ‘rock’ you will be able to see your predator coming and know who he is.  Remember, ‘your ‘predator’ the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8.  He is your predator.  ‘He is a ‘thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy.’ John 10:10. If you cannot ‘see’ the kingdom of God, if you cannot see your future in Heaven, if you are unaware that you even have a predator, then perhaps you are still in the darkness of your burrow.   Pray and ask God to ‘open your eyes and turn you from this darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God!’ Acts 26:18.

And you will find yourself standing tall on the rock of Christ. A place where I guarantee you will ‘declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.’ 1 Peter 2:9.  

I thought it would be very apropos to post ‘Prairie Dog’ today, since our new president will be inaugurated on Monday! As Christians, we all need to stand on our ‘Dome Crater’, the Rock who is Jesus Christ and remember that the enemy is our there seeking to kill, steal and destroy all those who serve our country. The scriptures admonish us to pray for them for our own good and because it pleases God our Savior! ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior.’ 1Timothy 2:1-3.

WATCH AND PRAY!