Jewel # 406 (June 25, 2020)

"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.

Don’t Argue With a Jaguar

“Every beast of the forest is Mine. . . . And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”  Psalm 50:10-11

A jaguar can easily be mistaken for a leopard since the brownish-yellow fur of each, covered with black spots, is so similar.  But there are some differences.  The adult jaguar is larger, and many of the circular spots covering its body have a darker black spot in the center, while those of the leopard are solid.  Some South American jaguars are almost coal black. 

The jaguar, up to 8 feet long including its 2.5 foot tail, may weigh up to 290 pounds.  The huge mouth in its large head has strong, sharp teeth and a long tongue covered with tiny rasps that help get the last bit of flesh off the bones of its victims.  Out of that mouth also comes a frightening roar.  This ferocious cat is the most feared animal in Mexico, Central and South America.

Huge, well-padded paws have fearsome claws that, like a house cat’s, remain hidden in the toes but are extended as fierce weapons when fighting or catching prey.  However, in spite of this fearful feature, it is a handsome animal with small, erect ears, beautiful eyes and large shoulders.

The jaguar is not afraid of water, jumping into a stream or pond to catch its prey, which might be a fish, turtle or even a small crocodile.  Normally it stalks the animals in hight grass or bush—seeing, but not being seen—silently creeping closer and then suddenly pouncing on its victim—a deer, peccary, armadillo, tapir or other animal.  Its muscular legs and large shoulders provide plenty of strength to drag even a heavy victim a mile or so away, where it may hide a part of the kill to eat another day.

A jaguar prefers to live alone except when raising its family of two or three cubs.  It often travels many miles a day hunting for food.  When not on the move, it likes to stretch out on a tree limb or s smooth shaded rock.  Being master of the rainforest, it has no fear of attack, except by hunters.

The Bible does not mention the jaguar, but the Lord, wanting His people to change their bad ways, said, “Their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me. . . . As a leopard by the way will I observe them” (Hosea 13:6-7).  This means that while they forgot Him, yet, like an unseen leopard (or like our unseen jaguar), He was watching everything they did. Farther on in the chapter He adds, “In Me is thine help” (vs. 9).  

Have you forgotten Him and are you careless in your ways?  Oh, how lovingly He invites you to confess it to Him and accept Hm as your Saviour before it is too late!  If you have not done this, won’t you do it right now while there is still time?   

Love you all - Grandpa            

Jewel # 405 (June 6, 2020)

“And they shall be Mine, saith Lord of hosts, in that day when I 

make up MY JEWELS.” 

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Durable Coyote

“He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.”  Psalm 147:9

Coyotes are often mistaken for wolves or large dogs.  Although they weigh only about thirty pounds, their long, thick, gray fur makes them look larger.  At times they are noisy, and if you hear a pack of them howling on a moonlit night, it is something you will always remember.

Coyotes live throughout Mexico, the United States and southern Canada.  Some make their homes on the prairies where there is a good supply of gophers, field mice, ground squirrels, small birds and insects.  But coyotes are also plentiful in deserts, seashores, forested hills and even close to cities.  Besides being meat eaters, they eat berries and fruits.

The Creator has made coyotes very clever.  Trappers are amazed at their ability to steal bait from traps without getting caught in them.  They will also quietly watch other animals or large birds hunting . . . then steal the food from them.  When chasing rabbits, they work cleverly in teams.  One chases a rabbit until it tires, then another takes over, and sometimes a third helps out.  The rabbit can outrun them, but it becomes exhausted and is finally captured.

Unfortunately, coyotes do kill sheep and chickens and are hunted and poisoned for this reason.  But it has been noted that when no coyotes are around, packrats, mice, gophers and other rodents multiply and do serious damage to crops and other property.  As a result, it has been decided that coyotes do more good than harm, and they are no longer completely killed off.

A pair of coyotes is usually loyal to each other for a lifetime.  Once a year they raise from five or six to as many as fifteen pups.  These are hidden in a den on a hillside, under a big rock, or underneath a stump.  The pups are playful but trained to obey their parents instantly.  They are taught to stay close to the den under their parents’ watchful care until they are given hunting lessons when about two months old.  

These interesting animals usually hunt at night and hide in daylight in places where they are almost impossible to find.  They often watch campers and hikers without their being aware of it.  Normally coyotes do not bother people and try to avoid them.

Many of God’s creatures live by their superior strength or swiftness, but He has enabled this animal to survive and prosper by giving it a sharp intellect and cleverness.  Since He cares for the coyote this much, the Bible assures us He cares for you even more:  “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Also, in Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord tells us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Have you accepted the Saviour’s love and care?

Love you all - Grandpa