The preacher referred to in the title above is yours truly. The picture is what appeared on my laptop screen after I logged in Thursday morning. Perhaps your PC had the same picture. Different than the people who just looked at the picture admiring its beauty and perhaps even going so far as to analyzing it further, the preacher looked at the picture from the peculiar prism that he uses to apply meaning for a believer from normal objects and ordinary things. By the way, somewhere I heard that we are in a group referred to as the peculiar people, Smile!
Let me focus on the picture and look at the points I saw through the peculiar prism. The picture on my screen was of a herd of saber antelope running through a dessert. These creatures live in herds and can survive in dry lands. They are grazers, but they will search and dig deep to find roots, sources where they can meet their need for water intake. There’s more, but let’s start pointing some things out relevant to believers. Like these beautiful creatures, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And at times, we will go through dry and weary lands, times where we need to be reminded that Jesus is a rock in a weary land. The saber antelope lives in herds and that increases their safety as they go along the way. As believers, we need to be part of a group, not a herd, but a holy, set apart congregation. That will add to our safety as we travel down the narrow path of righteousness and face our enemies attacking our resolve to live as a disciple of Christ on a continuous basis. Again, somewhere I heard that iron sharpens iron. Believers are grazers too. We feed on the word of God and at times we find a need to dig deep in the truth to meet our need for that water that causes us never to thirst. Are you still with me, the preacher? Well, let me continue just a little.
Another name for these antelopes in the picture is gemsbok oryx and this means composed of gems. What’s the comparison? Look at it two ways? First, we are precious in His sight. Second, know that we found the pearl of great price, the kingdom of heaven, and we are also rich in terms of being committed to the climb. Aren’t we? Let’s move on. The gemsbok oryx antelopes are the largest of its species. Don’t you wish that we could say that about the number of Christians in this world, especially in a time where people are drifting away from the church. Well, don’t give up trying to win souls for Jesus. Afterall, He has delayed his return so that no man shall perish.
Another thing I found out about the antelope in the picture is something that should reinforce that our work of adding to the numbers in our local churches, geometrically, is not to be overlooked. In connection with that statement, not to be overlooked is our faith that God can take our small means and bring about great results through faith. You see, between 1969 and 1977, ninety-three (93) of these specific antelopes were brought to New Mexico in the United States. Today, there are presently 3,000 of the gemsbok oryx in that area. Look through the prism and be motivated and participative in your local church’s growth efforts. I’ll repeat what I just said for I do not want you to forget it or ever lose hope over time: “God can take our small means and bring about great results through faith.”
One last thing, the gemsbok oryx, in the picture, they are equipped with horns to defend themselves. Don’t feel left out! You have been equipped for defense too! Read the closing verse for proof. Love you! Be blessed!
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18 The Amplified Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King