The other day, we passed a woman crossing her snowy yard followed by a cat. My wife commented, “There’s a cold kitty… bet he wants in.” Then she said, “A lot of cats live out in the snow I guess.” Immediately I thought of the small wildcats we have in Idaho. Literal “wild” cats who live outside. What made this “house” cat different? It was domesticated. It likes its snuggly blanket in the warm house.Where do domesticated animals come from? How did we get them? Science traces their domesticity back thousands of years… dogs, cats, pigs, horses, and cows. Various scientific proofs say that through processes of evolution, and intentional breeding by man, our modern domestic dogs, cats, and other animals have come to be over vast stretches of time. Domestic dogs slowly came from grey wolves they say.
Driving on I thought, “God gave them to us for companionship.” That is one of the main purposes of domestic animals. They are companions. It is true that dogs perform vital functions in some cases, like sled dogs in
the arctic. Pigs are raised for food. Horses can bear burdens, including us. But one of the greatest things about these creatures is that they are friends. Have you had a favorite pet?God is a God of relationship. Out of love for man, he gave us some 4-legged friends. He’s concerned that we not be alone. So he gave us what we call “man’s best friend.” How cool is that?
Consider these verses regarding animals.
- God owns all the animals, He made them.
Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
- He watches over them, even as He does people.
Psa 36:6 O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
- We are to be concerned about the life of animals.
Pro 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast:
- Although God feeds and loves the animals, it is the person who trusts in God that is first priority for the Lord.
Psa 147:9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
Psa 147:10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Psa 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
No, it's not good for us to be alone. Thank you God that you care about me.
