Daily Devotions
Many years ago when I was serving as pastor in Hot Springs, S.D., I and my young family would frequently travel the short distance to Wind Cave National Park.
The natural beauty of the place, with occasional sightings of bison, elk and deer was a treat.
Of course, there was the day we saw a man try to put his young daughter on the back of a big bison so he might take her picture.
Probably 50 people shouted at him and told him to stop. He did, but you could see he did so reluctantly. He thought it was a good idea.
For years I’ve looked back on that day and found peace in the knowledge that nobody else would ever do such a foolish thing.
I was wrong.
Last week the Associated Press carried an article which told of how police in Anchorage, Alaska, were warning people not to pet the moose.
They started giving that warning after a woman was kicked in the chest by a moose she was trying to pet in a city park.
It seems our good ideas are sometimes not all that good, nor are they all that wise. If you doubt me, consult with Eve. She looked at the fruit produced by the forbidden tree, thought it looked delicious and convinced herself it wouldn’t. … it just couldn’t hurt … if she had a small nibble or two.
She was wrong.
This all goes to prove when it comes to bison, moose or forbidden fruit, we aren’t the experts, and we don’t always know what the wisest course of action should be.
This is just one of the reasons we go to the Scriptures. In the Bible we are given access to a wisdom beyond ours, a love we don’t deserve, and a Savior who has not only delivered us from our sins and shortcomings, but has also given us eternal life.
Listen to the experts! That’s the advice for today. Moose-petters, listen to the Anchorage police. Sinners, listen to your Lord and Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us realize that when we think we know best, we probably don’t. Let us turn to You and Your Word for guidance, direction and true wisdom. This I ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son, my Savior. Amen.