Thursday, January 25, 2018

Jewel # 309 (Jan. 20, 2018)

“And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I
make up MY JEWELS.”
(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Silky Anteater 

“Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
Remember His marvellous works."
(1 Chronicles 16:11-12)

The silky anteater lives in the forests of southern Mexico and down through Central and South America.  It is very small—only about the size of a squirrel—but has a long, furry tail that makes it look somewhat larger.  Its little body has honey-coloured fur, and it has a rather pretty face, with round, black eyes and a pointed snout ending in a pinkish nose.

In securing its food, composed of termites and ants, teeth would be of no value.  Instead, the Creator has provided it with a pointed nose and a long sticky, tongue which it pokes into the nests of these insects and pulls them out in great quantities.

Besides being smaller than its relatives, the silky anteater is also a tree-climber, whereas the larger anteaters spend their lives on the ground.  To aid in tree climbing, it has been given an extra joint on both hind feet, enabling its toes to bend around a tree branch for a good, strong grip—another provision of the Creator to help its food-searching activities.  It also has a prehensile tail (a grasping tail similar to a monkey’s) which it uses to suspend itself head downward.  Then it can use its strong front claws to tear bark off a tree, where it usually finds food.  This special tail also may work like an extra hand, helping it to hold tightly to a tree.

Silky is a night worker and spends daylight hours curled up in a nest of dry leaves in a hollow tree trunk.  She’ll leave her one tiny baby in this nest while she forages for food.  She nurses the baby for a shot period but then feeds it on digested insects which she regurgitates, until soon the little one is able to scramble around and find its own food.

Because these animals hunt only at night and hide in the daytime, they rarely encounter enemies.  But when they do, they defend themselves by rearing up on hind legs and slashing their opponent with the long, sharp claws of their front feet.

Do you think God takes note of this obscure little creature?  The exceptional provisions for its way of life tell us that He certainly does!  We are further assured by the Bible verse that says, “In whose hand is the life of every living thing” (Job 12:10).  Another verse states, “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their food in due season" (Psalm 145:15).

How much greater is His love for you and me!  He not only takes care of our daily needs, 
but also He has prepared a home in heaven for all who will accept His Son, 
the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Saviour.

Have you done this?

Love you all - Grandpa       

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