EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

I recently heard this verse quoted by a veterinarian: “In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind,” Job 12:10 NIV. It made me wonder if all animals really do go to heaven?

I like animals; however, my husband and I have always had them outside; he grew up on a dairy farm where all remained outdoors. We have Labradors, “our girls,” as I call them. CoraBelle’s castle is an amazing dog home, and I mean amazing with all capitalized letters. It sports a sunroof, picture window with paw ledge to look out, heater, air conditioner, two doggie doors going out both in the front and back to a roomy yard, roofed porch; literally room for Greggy to sleep in the “doghouse” if ever the opportunity should arise. Basil’s Bonanza (Bonanza Camper converted) also sports a three-paneled lookout window, doggie door, porch and adjoins to a large portion of backyard as well as an area in her momma’s castle for winter warmth. These girls have it good!

From Bibleinfo.com: One of the most poignant stories in the Bible is the parable the prophet Nathan told to King David. The prophet told the king of a poor man and his pet lamb.

He said, “The poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him,” 2 Samuel 12:3, NKJV.

Often the question arises, “Will our pets be in heaven?” However, the Bible is silent on this question. It neither confirms it nor denies it. Yet there are some points we can consider. God created everything — including animals — for his pleasure and his glory.

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created,” Revelation 4:11 NKJV.

Humans were specifically created for God’s glory.

“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him; yes, I have made him,” Isaiah 43:7, NKJV.

The Bible speaks of even inanimate objects, such as the sun, moon and stars, praising God (Psalm 148:3) and of course, these objects cannot praise God in the same way we humans can. However, they praise God by shining, by carrying out the role God planned for them, they glorify their creator.

Quoted from Billy Graham, “Heaven will be a place of perfect happiness for us, it will be glorious — far beyond anything we can fully imagine. It will be glorious first because it will be perfect.”

As quoted in my columns previously, this topic may be a Deuteronomy 29:29 (King James) answer.

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Loving my four-legged family members, and am Nana to five!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend, and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.