Other Object Lessons
85
in contributing to the river’s life, it helps achieve that which alone it
could never have accomplished.
The lesson is one needed by many. Talent is too much idolized,
and station too much coveted. There are too many who will do nothing
unless they are recognized as leaders; too many who must receive
praise, or they have no interest to labor. What we need to learn is
faithfulness in making the utmost use of the powers and opportunities
we have, and contentment in the lot to which Heaven assigns us.
A Lesson of Trust
“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the
air, and they shall tell thee: ... and the fishes of the sea shall declare
unto thee.” “Go to the ant; ... consider her ways.” “Behold the birds.”
“Consider the ravens.”
Job 12:7, 8
;
Proverbs 6:6
;
Matthew 6:26
, R.V.;
Luke 12:24
.
We are not merely to tell the child about these creatures of God.
The animals themselves are to be his teachers. The ants teach lessons
of patient industry, of perseverance in surmounting obstacles, of prov-
idence for the future. And the birds are teachers of the sweet lesson
[118]
of trust. Our heavenly Father provides for them; but they must gather
the food, they must build their nests and rear their young. Every mo-
ment they are exposed to enemies that seek to destroy them. Yet how
cheerily they go about their work! how full of joy are their little songs!
How beautiful the psalmist’s description of God’s care for the
creatures of the woods—
“The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats;
And the rocks for the conies.”
Psalm 104:18
.
He sends the springs to run among the hills, where the birds have their
habitation, and “sing among the branches.”
Psalm 104:12
.
All the creatures of the woods and hills are a part of His great house-
hold. He opens His hand, and satisfies “the desire of every
living thing.”