| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Heaven” Our Bible verse for today: “The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together; and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together.” Isaiah 11:6-7 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Will our pets be in heaven?” I’m pretty certain that the overwhelming majority of people are animal lovers – some of us passionately so. We love our pets, often treating them like they are members of the family. I know Linda and I do. For many years we have always had little lap puppies (a friend once called them my sissy dogs.) They have all weighed about eight pounds, they are soft and cuddly and very affectionate, and they are also loyal, loving, and they offer great emotional support. I have an old friend who recently lost her husband to cancer. For more than a year she has been working through the long and difficult process of going on in life without him. Fortunately, she has dogs that fill her life with companionship and comfort. She also works as a volunteer at a pet rescue center. She has found that to be very helpful, which isn’t surprising. There’s a good reason that children’s hospitals and nursing homes bring support dogs in to visit with the patients. It’s because animals are comforting. The question all of us animal lovers have is, “Will my pets be in heaven with me?” but the Bible doesn’t really say. We do know that there will be animals in the new creation. If the new earth is a perfect version of the old earth, and if the old earth included animals even before it included humans, then it is reasonable to conclude that there will be animals on the new earth. But will “my” animals be there? When I get to heaven will I be reunited with Duffy, Lady, Missy, Kiki, Roxy, and Melody the dogs, and with Snowball, Midnight, and Tommy the cats, and with Henry the duck? The Bible doesn’t say. I can only hope. But let me turn the question around. Rather than wondering if God will include my specific pets in my experience of eternity, a better question might be “Why would He not include them for me?” Even in this lifetime we know that God loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). It pleases the heart of God to give us things that bring us joy. Well, the whole idea of the new earth is to provide His children with an eternity of bliss, and if animals are going to be there anyway, is it too much of a stretch to conclude that perhaps “my” animals will be there for me? Will Fluffy the dog be in heaven? I can’t say for sure, but it won’t surprise me at all if he is. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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