Issue 1384 – Marching on – March 1, 2024
February is done, and time marches on. I know it’s an ancient pun, but I had to get it out of my system.
Among the regulars at our bird feeders are a pair of Eurasian Collared Doves. You can tell them apart from the indigenous Mourning Dove by the black ring on their neck and the absence of black spots on their body.
Like the indigenous species, they make a delightful coo-coo-coo sound. Well, it is lovely for a few coo’s anyway. If they continue for extended periods, I find the sound increasingly irritating.
Their comfort level around people and adaptability to urban settings exceed that of the mourning dove. That has enabled them not only to survive but thrive in North America since its introduction from the Caribbean in the 1970s.
Here is a fun fact about collared doves to astound your friends: “The Eurasian Collared-Dove’s species name, decaocto, comes from Greek mythology. Decaocto was a servant girl transformed into a dove by the gods to escape her unhappy treatment; the dove’s mournful cry recalls her former life.” (from http://allaboutbirds.com)
The imagery of doves is common in the Bible and Christian literature. It appears frequently as a sacrificial bird for those who cannot afford a larger animal. It is also used as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. The dove is often a symbol of peace, even in the non-Christian world.
Ezekiel uses the dove metaphor to show the weakness and mourning of people under God’s wrath.
The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour. And if any survivors escape, they will be on the mountains, like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, each one over his iniquity. All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water. They put on sackcloth, and horror covers them. Shame is on all faces and baldness on all their heads. Ezekiel 7:15-17
The Scriptures tell us,
“For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31
As believers, we are subject to the discipline of a holy God but no longer under His wrath and judgement.
For the sake of those who do not yet know Him, we are called to take the gospel into the world. Doing so can sometimes bring anger and resentment against us and cries that we are intolerant and unloving.
Yet, is it more loving to know the way and not share it? What better peace offering than the message that people can be saved by grace through faith in the Lord?
We cannot control how people respond to that truth; that is between them and God. Yet, to truly love them, we must tell them.
May you be filled with the Spirit and proclaim the truth in love.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2024 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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