Issue 720 -Retriever -April 20, 2022

I often see a neighbour lady walking her border collie. She carries one of those ball-throwing sticks, and the dog’s eyes never leave it. It is ready to chase that ball at a moment’s notice.

That got me thinking about the last three dogs we owned.

Genni, the wonder dog, was a border collie, basset hound cross. There is absolutely no retriever blood in her lineage at all. All you have to do is play fetch with her to confirm that fact.

She had been that way since puppyhood. I would throw a ball or other toy, and she would get it and bring it back. Once. I’d throw it a second time, and she’d look at me as if I were crazy. She’d then get it but take it away so that it couldn’t be thrown again. 

Misty is a hyperactive purebred border collie. She will do anything “work” related, including chasing a ball until you can’t throw it another time. In the picture, she is busy watching the ball, willing me to throw it again.

Jasper is a border collie Maremma cross. He loves to sit, watch and guard the property or go for truck rides. He doesn’t play or fetch.

Perhaps Genni and Jasper are more intelligent than people. We’ll often chase something, then discard it, only to move on to something else that we have to chase. They wouldn’t do that. 

Back and forth we go. We chase an elusive something that fails to satisfy us even if we do catch it. We try to fill the void with whatever comes along. The ironic part is that the elusive something is right there and has been all along.

There’s only one thing that will ever fully satisfy. That one thing is an intimate relationship with the Living God. Many know about God, but relatively few know Him. Simply knowing about God doesn’t satisfy any more than learning about cars helps get you faster from point A to point B.

Even the demons knew about God.

When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Luke 8:27-31

They knew about God and His displeasure over evil, but that knowledge alone didn’t satisfy them.

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! James 2:19

Today’s church has many people who know about God but don’t know Him. Simple knowledge or intellectual assent will not bring peace with God.

We must move beyond that to humbling ourselves and submitting to the Lord. He offers salvation by grace and faith, and we are responsible for choosing to trust him or not.

Satisfaction comes from personally knowing and being reconciled to God. It doesn’t come from rituals, religion or the things of this world.

Until next time, rejoice that we have a God who wants us to know Him.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed. 

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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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required. 

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