Chickens

Penny Portrait Penny is the sweetest little chicken. She follows me around the yard and meets me at the car when I come home from work. She found a dirt pile one day and it fast became her favorite place to be. She rolls around in it and works the dirt into her feathers. It doesn’t look appealing to me but it’s both cleansing and relaxing to her. I prefer a warm bath and candles myself, but to each chick her own I guess.

While outside one morning a storm worked its way toward us. I tried to get Penny to her coop but she wasn’t having it. She wouldn’t follow me and ran away when I tried to grab hold of her. The wind kicked up and rain began to fall. No matter what I tried she wanted nothing to do with leaving that pile of dirt. I went inside and asked God to protect my stubborn chicken.

Penny Hutch

Make-shift Shelter

Once the rain subsided I found Penny holed up in the remnants of a rabbit hutch that some animal had torn apart. “Well, have you had enough?” She stared at me. “Come on, let’s go home.” Without hesitation she crawled out of the hutch and followed close behind me to her coop. I opened the door and she stepped in without a fuss. It’s amazing what a storm will do to bring a chicken to her senses. While that hutch provided a small measure of shelter from the wind and rain, it provided no safety at all from predators.

Rebellion & Bondage

Not wanting to stay within the parameters God set for them and refusing to follow Him, the children of Israel chose to run away from God and live according to the dictates of the culture. He gave them instruction on how to live to ensure a peaceful and prosperous life and to protect them from danger but they wanted no part of it. They were taken captive by a cruel enemy, suffered great deprivation and lived in bondage. God did promise them a way out, “and they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.” Ezekiel 34:28. It would be 70 years before they would be released but they would be ready to follow Him.

What is it about the dirt piles of this world, the lure of the forbidden that we find so appealing? We have a kind and faithful shepherd that offers green pastures and still waters yet we want dirt. He longs to gently lead us but it often takes a storm to get our attention. “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33. It’s amazing what a storm will do to bring us to our senses.

How About You

Have you found yourself drawn to someone or something that you knew wasn’t right for you, only to end up in disaster? Are you there right now, holed up in a place you were never meant to be? God has offered Himself as a place of refuge. “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.” Psalm 143:9.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

20160125_092158[1] Strange tracks ran from the driveway straight to the chicken coop. I couldn’t recognize them from the house but got a better look when I opened Penny’s cage in the morning. The tracks encircled the entire coop and within them were paw prints. Claw marks were on the side of the coop and on the nest box. I’m not sure if the marks and prints were from a dog, a coyote or what but something had a hankering for a chicken dinner. “Better luck next time dog-breath, this coop is predator-proof!” I’m sure that’s what Penny was thinking. She was safely perched in her condo waiting for me to release her.

This was not the first time. Out in the country where we live, dogs roam freely sometimes and more than one has made its way to Penny’s coop. They bark and scratch and make Penny nervous but they can’t get to her. In fear, she flies squawking into her condo and is safe. Seeing the paw prints around the coop this morning, I was reminded of the account of Daniel in the lions’ den.

Trapped

Conspired against by jealous princes, Daniel was forced to obey a temporary ordinance designed to trap him or to remain faithful to his God. Daniel knew the decree mandated that no one but the king could be worshipped for 30 days, yet he chose to pray to his God as he had always done. Daniel was caught. Displeased with himself for signing the decree that could not be altered, Darius had no choice but to command that Daniel be thrown into the den of lions.

So Close and Yet So Far

Daniel was facing the lions. Were they circling him and licking their chops? Were they roaring and swiping at him with their paws? As near to them as he was, Daniel was quite out of the lions’ reach. The king rose early the next morning, ran to the lions’ den and called for Daniel. Daniel responded, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me.” Daniel. 6:22. Though unseen to Daniel, God was as real to him as the lions that stood before him; and far more powerful.

We are all faced with troubles in this world. Sometimes the danger is very real and right before our eyes. Sometimes the enemy is unseen and working in ways we are unaware of. Many times the fear is of our own making. God has not left us unprotected and alone. He has provided a means of safety and rest if we will but trust Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

What about You?

Have you ever been so distressed and scared and felt you had nowhere to hide? Maybe you have forgotten all of the times God has provided for or protected you in the past. Whatever the lions may be for you, remember as Daniel did, you do have a place to run. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Read more about Daniel in the lions’ den in Daniel, chapter 6.