Last week, we took our dog to the vet. She needed minor surgery and to be checked over for general health. The anesthetic left her a little dazed and confused but she’s doing fine. I’m always amazed at the level of care that animals receive in Western culture. They really are treated as members of the family. The pet care industry is worth billions of dollars. This is not the case in many parts of the world where pets aren’t as valued.
In Jesus’ day, dogs weren’t considered family as much as scavengers. We don’t read much about people keeping pets in scripture. Of course, the possible kinds of pets you can have these days range from cats, hamsters, snakes, fish, and newts. But the Bible does say that God looks after the animals.
Psalm 147:9 tells us that God is concerned for all His creation, including the animals He created: “He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. In Luke 12:6 Jesus says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.”
At times, I think our obsession with pets is a little over the top. But if we, people with great faults, can care about animals, will not our heavenly Father care even more for us? It’s not uncommon for people to feel that no one cares or sees their situation. It’s encouraging to remember that God does. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
When feeling forgotten or when in need, we can go to our heavenly Father and ask. Don’t believe the voice saying, ‘I have no one to care for me.’ He cares for the birds and the cattle, and he cares even more about you.
