by Dr. Don Kuehle
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Every country has its wise sayings. Someone recently commented on the state of our nation: "We’re in sad shape; seems like we’re going to the dogs." Which reminded me of some other wise sayings regarding dogs:
"It’s a dog-eat-dog world," "The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on," "A barking dog never bites," "A dog is man’s best friend," "Every dog has his day," "He who lies down with dogs rises up with fleas," "Let sleeping dogs lie," Love me, love my dog," "You can’t teach an old dog new tricks," "The tail doesn’t wag the dog," "The dog days of August."
Even the Bible is filled with sayings about dogs: Psalm 22:16 – "The dogs are all around me, a crowd of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet." In this instance, dogs refer to the Gentile peoples, or to anyone who is not Jewish. Matthew, in his Gospel, has these words: "Don’t give to dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine."
God is instructing His people to live lives of holiness and righteousness.
Many people do not know, and do not want to know, what living in a right relation with God is all about. Some are at war against all that is right and good and holy in life; they trample holiness in the mud and mire of life, and sling mud at anyone who tries to live a righteous life. In Mark’s Gospel (7:27-28) we find this story: Jesus has gone to another place to get away from the crowds, and to get some R & R. Jesus cannot hide from those who are seriously seeking Him. A Greek women, one of those Gentile "dogs," finds Jesus and begs him to heal her daughter. Jesus’ reply sounds strange to us: "it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." Perhaps Jesus is merely expressing the prejudice common in his day. Perhaps Jesus sees that his primary mission is to the Jews first, and secondly to the Gentiles. Yet, instead of taking offense, the woman persists: "That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the children’s table." Jesus responds to her persistence, and her faith; He heals her daughter.
We live in a dog-eat-dog world. At times, we feel that this world is going to the dogs. The forces of Darkness and Evil have brought our standards of living to an all-time low. Selfishness and greed, envy and immorality appear to be winning. We live in a world where corruption and pollution triumph. Instead of trying to work things out, people resort to violence to settle their differences. Hatred and bitterness have replaced love.
The Good News is that Jesus Christ can, and will, heal our illnesses, solve our situation, and make life worth the living! Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has conquered the forces of Sin and Evil and Death!
We, however, must show persistence! We must be persistent in seeking Jesus, persist until we find Him. We must be persistent in seeking His help and His healing, for our lives and for the lives of those around us.
God is persistent! God actively comes and looks for those who have lost their sense of direction in life, those who have taken a wrong turn and have wandered away from God. God persists in loving us "dogs," in fact, God loved us so much that He sacrificed His only Son on the Cross! God reminds us: "I am with you always; I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
If our world is a "dog-eat-dog" struggle, it doesn’t have to be! If our life is "going to the dogs," Jesus Christ can change all that! Christ can "teach us old dogs new tricks." He is able to teach us how to live a Heavenly life here on this earth – IF we’re willing to learn!