Be a Waterbuck

Earlier this week my husband and I spent a few days at Hlane Royal National Park, a game reserve about an hour and a half from our home, in celebration of our forty-seventh wedding anniversary. 

We enjoyed being surrounded by God's amazing and varied creation.

On Tuesday we decided to take a game viewing drive with one of the rangers.  Our ranger was a fount of information about the animals we saw.  

One of the many interesting animals was the waterbuck.  What our guide told us about this animal led me to think, hence this post.

When the waterbuck is being pursued by a lion he runs for the water.  As he nears the water he secretes an oily substance that coats his body so that he becomes somewhat water repellent.  In addition this substance has an odor and causes the meat to taste terrible.  When the lion gets wind of that scent he stops his pursuit knowing that even if he did manage to catch the waterbuck it would be inedible.

We as Christians need to be like the waterbuck.  Our enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking to devour us.  When we are being pursued we should run straight to the Lord.  We should have so much of God's word within us that it becomes our protection.  The Holy Spirit within us will bring scripture to our minds when we are under stress.  

Of course the comparison fails at one point (at least).  The waterbuck does not have to do anything to be able to secrete the oily substance that protects him.  It is part of his design.  We must deliberately plant the word of God in our minds and hearts so that it will be there when we are under attack.  

Be a waterbuck.  Run to the Lord.  Seek the protection his word can give.