“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise… The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks” (Prov. 30:24, 26, KJV).
A LOWLY EXAMPLE
Here is a scripture that has often been on my mind. There are four small creatures in this chapter that, by instinct, do things which carry important messages for our lives. The rock badger or a coney, mentioned in this verse, has the build of a prairie dog or a small rabbit. It is a creature without bristles, fangs, or dangerous claws. It is vulnerable and seems to be defenseless.
However, we should take time to observe the coney’s instinctive response to danger and then apply the lessons to our lives. This predator-vulnerable animal knows enough to run into the rocks and find a place of safety. The little creature, knowing its own limitations, does not try to outsmart or overpower an enemy. It simply lives where it will be secure, beyond the reach of danger.
A SURE RESTING PLACE
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Prov. 18:10).
Here is the a life principle for us: Jesus Christ is our Rock. As our Rock, He should be where we make our home, just as the conies made their home in the rock. We should not make our homes in this world and then go searching for our stronghold when a tragedy strikes or when we get overwhelmed by this life. We should just be able to go home! Making Jesus our regular resting place is a crucial aspect to living the Christian life if we are to live in the enjoyment of what the Savior provides for us. Making the Lord Jesus our regular resting place is crucial for our daily survival.
Notice that the verse does not say, “The scaredy-cat people run to it and are safe.” It says that the righteous are the ones who run there. This is most surely a retreat. A rock badger doesn’t need to learn that it is vulnerable; but we do. While we can’t always handle things, our Rock is one that can weather the storm and take the attacks of others. We simply need to rest in Him, as we dwell “in Christ.”
A LIFE PRINCIPLE
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…In Him we have redemption through His blood…In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:3, 4, 7, 11).
Here are a few of the many references to the believer being “in Christ” in Ephesians 1. As you read the New Testament, it should become obvious that the life we live is lived “in Him.” This does not mean that your life will be devoid of all troubles and sadness. What it means is that, if you are in Him when these things come, you can rest assured that every circumstance has been permitted to reach you. What peace it is to know that everything that happens to you has already gone through the loving mind of our Savior before it ever touched you. He is our security and rest, and nothing will get through to us unless He lets it come in, since He knows it will ultimately work for our benefit.
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