I recently had the exciting opportunity to bunny-sit. (Yay me!) I carried bunny inside, in his little travel carrier, and proceeded to get his bunny-area all set up for him. Bunny was very curious to check everything out!
Yep, everything seems to be in good order with the travel carrier.
Hmmmmm … I wonder what’s over in this area, on the other side of the “bunny hide-away” …
No reason to go around the door when you can squeeeeeeze underneath the door!
Bunny had a wonderful stay at my house during the weekend I bunny-sat. He even got to do a little exploring in the living room …
Bunny got fresh salad greens each morning for breakfast …
Bunny got two small carrots as an afternoon snack each day.
Bunny got a scoop of bunny-food-pellets each evening.
And bunny got all the Timothy Hay he wanted … whenever he wanted …
I even set up a small towel “bridge” (as you can see in the photo here) so bunny could easily get over to the kitchen rugs (without having to traverse the hardwood floors) and explore a little further.
Bunny was safe and secure in my home.
Bunny didn’t have to worry about any harm or danger in my home.
Bunny could enjoy all the many blessings I gave him.
One afternoon, as I was standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes, I noticed a large movement back in the forest just behind the apple trees. “I wonder if that’s a bobcat,” I thought.
Sure enough … a moment later the bobcat appeared at the edge of the forest, busily eating its afternoon snack (which was probably a small bird of some sort).
It must have been a rather small snack, because the bobcat polished it off in just a few bites.
Awwww … isn’t it a cute kitty …
On second thought, it doesn’t look cute at all when it’s on the prowl.
In fact, it looks downright menacing and dangerous!
I never cease to be amazed by how the coloring and patterning on the inside of its legs is completely different than the outside of its legs.
Long and leggy cat!
While all the pouncing and devouring and prowling was occurring just outside …
meanwhile … inside …
Bunny was resting securely. Bunny was sleeping peacefully.
It brings to mind the verse: “Blessed is the person who fears the LORD [Jesus Christ], who finds great delight in his commands. … This person will have no fear of bad news; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD [Jesus Christ]. Their heart is secure, they will have no fear.” – Psalm 112:1, 7
The Bible describes Satan as a prowling cat. The Bible warns us: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
We each are like bunny.
And Satan … Satan is like the prowling bobcat just outside in my forest.
If bunny is to be safe from the menacing, prowling, pouncing, devouring bobcat … where is the safest place for bunny to be??
In my house. (obviously)
The bunnies out in the forest are at great risk of being devoured by the prowling bobcat.
So also, when it comes to each one of us, we are kept safe from the menacing, prowling, pouncing, devouring lion – Satan – when we are in God’s household. (Galatians 6:10 describes believers in Jesus Christ as being the “household of faith.”)
Within God’s household, God has established “boundaries” for us to keep us safe. Just like in my own house I have a special “bunny-area” specially designated for bunny to stay in. Bunny’s “bunny-area” in my home is a safe place for bunny.
Bunny has complete freedom inside my house … withing the “boundaries” I have set for bunny. Bunny can hop and explore all he wants within his “bunny-area.” Bunny can enjoy the blessings of fresh salad greens and fresh carrots … and all the Timothy Hay he wants!
So too … just like bunny … God has established “boundaries” to keep us safe.
When we stay within God’s “boundaries” for us, we are safe and secure. We can have complete freedom within the “boundaries” God has set for us. We can hop and explore all we want within the “boundaries” God has set for us. We can enjoy all kinds of blessings from God … within the “boundaries” God has set for us.
But what would happen if bunny decided he didn’t want to stay within his “bunny-area”?
What if bunny decided he was “missing out” on “freedom” by having to stay within the designated space of his “bunny-area”?
Imagine if bunny decided to make a dash for “freedom” when I came in the front door with my arms full of groceries from Costco. Out the door bunny bounds! Freedom! At last!
Is bunny really free??
Bunny might feel like he’s free … but he’s just removed himself from the safety and protection of my home and put himself at the mercy of the menacing, prowling, pouncing, devouring bobcat.
Sooner or later … the bobcat would find bunny.
This same thing happens in people’s lives. God has established “boundaries” for us to keep us safe from the prowling cat – Satan. God’s “boundaries” are good. God’s “boundaries” are for our safety and flourishing.
But sometimes people, just like the hypothetical example of bunny, decide that they don’t want to stay within God’s “boundaries.” Many people come to the conclusion that they are “missing out” on “freedom” by having to stay within the “boundaries” God has designated for us.
And so … just like the hypothetical example of bunny, they go “dashing out the door.” Freedom! At last!
But are they really free??
Just like bunny, they might feel like they are free … for the time being.
But sooner or later the prowling cat – Satan – will pounce!
How do we know what God’s “boundaries” are for us?? We don’t want to be at the mercy of the menacing, prowling, pouncing, devouring cat – Satan. How do we know where the “boundary line” is??
God tells us:
“Blessed is the person … who walks according to the law of the LORD [Jesus Christ]. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. … You, Jesus, have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” – Psalm 119:1-2, 4
By obeying God’s Word, we are kept safe.
By obeying God’s Word we are kept secure.
God’s Word tells us exactly where the “boundary line” is.
God’s Word says Lying is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are truthful.” – Proverbs 12:22
“The LORD detests lying lips.” – Proverbs 12:22
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and the person who pours out lies will perish.” – Proverbs 19:9
God’s Word says Pride is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 16:5
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
God’s Word says Hate is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12
God’s Word says being Unteachable is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“The person who scorns instruction will pay for it.” – Proverbs 13:13
God’s Word says Slander is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“Whoever spreads slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
“Do not slander one another.” – James 4:11
God’s Word says Deceit is a “boundary line.” Don’t cross that line.
“The person whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.” – Proverbs 17:20
God’s Word tells us that our safe place is the place of: Patience … Letting offenses go … Love … Peaceable-ness.
“A person’s wisdom gives them patience; it is to their glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11
“The person who covers over an offense promotes love.” – Proverbs 17:9
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, sincere.” – James 3:17
God’s Word tells us that God himself is our place of Safety.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” – Proverbs 18:10
“Whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” – Proverbs 29:25
“God is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” – Proverbs 30:5
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
We each are like bunny.
God loves us and has given us a safe place, with lots of freedom for us to be curious and to explore.
God has provided blessings upon blessings for us.
But we must stay within God’s “boundaries.”
We must remain within the “safe place” God has provided for us.
“Give me understanding, God, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” – Psalm 119:34-37
This is how we stay in the “safe place” God has provided for us.
“I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. … I delight in your commands because I love them.
“I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.” – Psalm 119:44-45, 47-48
This is how we stay in the “safe place” God has provided for us.
“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, O LORD [Jesus Christ], and I follow your commands. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.” – Psalm 119:165-168
