Tag: God’s love

Why Did God Make Scorpions?

Why Did God Make Scorpions?

Several days ago I was sitting out on the porch with our Siberian huskies, Shimmer and Cayenne.

Shimmer is our new three-year-old.

We love her so much!

She’s one of the most observant dogs we’ve ever owned.

I noticed her ears had perked up at one point and she was intently staring at the big brown ornamental rock right beyond our porch.

What in the world is she looking at?

A few minutes later I saw it too.

Ohhhhh noooooooooo.

A scorpion.

The hideously-disgusting creature was scurrying along that rock, way too close for my comfort.

I’m pretty sure it was about twelve inches long (okay, probably closer to two inches.)

I heard a scream (actually it was from me) and the three of us ran inside so I could get my husband to kill it.

Chivalry is not dead.

Why did God make scorpions in the first place?

Why did God make scorpions?

Even the pictures gross me out

Cringe-Worthy Arachnids: Why Did God Make Scorpions?

Why did God make scorpions?

I’m glad you asked.

We don’t fully know, as God is our Sovereign Creator.

However, some of the things we do know from a human standpoint is that scorpions eat other creepy crawlies like silverfish and spiders – that’s a good thing.

Even better, did you know that scientists are studying the scorpion’s venom for its possible health benefits?

Researchers isolated compounds of the scorpion’s poison indicating potential for treating certain illnesses and infections.1

Yet, despite these redeeming qualities, it’s also hard to forget that, depending on the species, scorpions can also be dangerous.

Their painful stings are mentioned in the Bible.

Here’s one example:

First the context, hordes of locust-like creatures will be unleashed for a short period of time during the Final Judgment (the Tribulation) “to torment” unrepentant souls.

And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a person. – Revelation 9:5, (NASB).2

The horror to come for those Tribulation souls is yet another reminder for unbelievers to repent and put their trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Cringe-Worthy Scorpions: Were They Ever Good?

Scorpions weren’t always the feared insects that we know them as today.

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. – Genesis 1:24-25, (NASB).3

Did you see that?

Scorpions were good.

I wanted to share Dr. Gordon Wilson’s perspective from Answers in Genesis:

A world where animals didn’t eat other animals is almost impossible to imagine. Though we don’t know how everything worked in a perfect world, we do know that scorpions didn’t harm human beings. That came after Adam’s sin brought death and suffering into the world. – Dr. Gordon Wilson, Answers in Genesis.4

Further, he writes . . . 

The scorpion is a vivid reminder of the Curse and the deadly consequences of our sin against a holy and just God. Adam’s one sin in the Garden of Eden brought all this pain and suffering into the world. But because of God’s love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to experience death’s sting in our place and redeem sinful mankind (Acts 2:22–24; John 3:16). Someday God will redeem His fallen creation, as well. Then He will take away all predator-prey relationships— the poison and the pain, the fangs and the fears—and the scorpion will be restored to its original diet (Isaiah 11:6–9). – Dr. Gordon Wilson,Answers in Genesis.5

Another One?

Okay, so we know there’s both good and bad about present-day scorpions.

Even with the good, they’re still not my favorite creature in God’s Kingdom.

Meanwhile, we spotted a second scorpion at our house – this one was inside our house!

Oh heck no – we need to move.

Remind me to look down before I walk into a dark room.

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1 Source Credit, [2019] Stanford University. By Stanford News. From “Stanford researchers synthesize healing compounds in scorpion venom”, June 11, 2019. Web. Accessed 27th October, 2023. Retrieved from https://chemistry.stanford.edu/news/stanford-researchers-synthesize-healing-compounds-scorpion-venom

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

3 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

4 Quotation from Dr. Gordon Wilson (PhD, Environmental Science and Public Policy, MS in Entomology) – teacher, writer for Answers in Genesis. “Scorpions — Armed and Dangerous.” Courtesy of Answersingenesis.org. para.4. Web. Accessed 26th, October, 2023. Retrieved from: https://answersingenesis.org/creepy-crawlies/scorpions-armed-and-dangerous/

5 Quotation from Dr. Gordon Wilson (PhD, Environmental Science and Public Policy, MS in Entomology) – teacher, writer for Answers in Genesis. “Scorpions — Armed and Dangerous.” Courtesy of Answersingenesis.org. para.11. Web. Accessed 26th, October, 2023. Retrieved from: https://answersingenesis.org/creepy-crawlies/scorpions-armed-and-dangerous/

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The Battle Is Already Won

When Animals Attack

Did you ever watch the TV show, “I Was Prey”?

It aired on the Animal Planet Network a couple of years ago.

Considering the show’s title, I’m sure you can imagine what it was about.

A wild and dangerous animal attacks an unsuspecting person, and he or she may (or may not) make it out alive.

The show was scary and captivating at the same time.

Each episode was a vivid reminder that we should never completely let our guard down when we’re in the great outdoors.

Don’t Touch A Dead Snake!

We are vulnerable, but not defenselessOut of all of the scenes on “I Was Prey”, there was one that really stuck out in my mind and sparked some interesting conversations afterward.

During the episode, Tennessee firefighter Kyle Watson and his family were out having a fun day hiking in the woods.

Along the trail, they came upon a rattlesnake. Kyle killed the snake and cut it in half to make sure it was dead.

He wanted to show it to his kids and then move it off the trail to protect other hikers. As he bent down to retrieve the dead snake, the severed head reared up and bit him on the finger.

A severed snake head, seemingly harmless at that point, was still able to bite.

Eek! Creeps me out.

I had to look it up and sure enough, it’s not all that uncommon.

Vulnerable, But Not Defenseless

You don’t have to be hiking on a wooded trail to suffer the bite from a serpent.

I’m talking about life for us as Christians.

None of us are immune from spiritual attacks by the devil.

The adversary is alive and well today, just as he was in back in Jesus’ day.

In the Bible, 1 Peter 5: 8-11 says this:

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:8-11, (ESV).

The Battle Is Already Won

Satan is a cunning liar.

He will tempt you to doubt God’s love and he will reinforce any insecurities you’re having about yourself and your relationships.  He’ll also try to convince you that God doesn’t care.

But we, dear Christians, know better.

The battle is already won.

We don’t belong to the Enemy.

We have a Champion – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Fire will rain down from Heaven and the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity.

Please remember this: the devil hates your prayers.

If you’re in the midst of a spiritual attack, put on your spiritual armor and pray.

Our Father in Heaven will hear you.

the battle is already won

Amen to that!

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* Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

**A.W. Tozer quotation, as quoted from Christian quotes.info

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Serenity Now!

Serenity Now

Ever have one of those days? When it seems like nothing is going right?

Stop it!

You know you have 🙂

There are a few ways I can get back into focus when that happens to me.

Here’s what I do: I say a prayer and then look at something beautiful that God created. I know it sounds simple, but it works.

Here’s one of my favorite photos for you.

serenity now

How I Get Serenity Now

I put Philippians 4 into action and get my mind focused back on God, whether it’s through music or something visual.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 – Philippians 4:8-9  ESV, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Here’s what happened on that day I’d rather forget:

I got on my computer to go into the writing directory I’ve been a member of since 2010.

Lo and behold I was met with an official message saying that the directory had been sold. I needed to make a decision quickly as to whether I would allow my articles to be republished on a new site (a site that I didn’t like) or all of my work would be deleted.

Wait – What????

It wasn’t just me that was affected by this behind the scenes sale. There were a million other writers who got the discouraging news.

All of my work was about to go “Poof!”

Never Giving Up

Out of all of my articles, the ones I really cared about were the ones about my faith in God. I was devastated.

As the deadline to either “move or terminate” my member account approached, I slowly started deleting my articles on the site and then re-saving them onto my hard drive. Each article removal hurt. Those articles represented a lot of work, but it wasn’t just the hours spent writing all of them.

I had put my heart into those articles.

It felt like I was being kicked in the stomach.

Why God?

After some initial tears and a pep talk from my husband and some encouraging friends, I picked myself up and started my own website.

Peace Through Jesus Christ

It’s nice not to be tied to a writing directory now, always subject to their conditions and potential to “sell out.”

So here it is, my new website.

I hope you are enjoying Delight in God.

Bad days will come and go, but the sun always rises and sets and reminds us that God’s love is as constant as the blessing of each new day.

Serenity is found through Him.

Be blessed!

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