Defending God's Creation
Become a Michael in a cruel and evil world
Beagle in research lab. Photo credit: Humane World for Animals
Headlines shout. Communities, states, nations, the world rage. Climate, forests, oceans, creatures – all under attack.
Twelve pronghorn in Wyoming shot – no meat taken, animals left injured and suffering. Puppy mills via for money at the expense of dogs. Dog fighting rings continue despite the 2007 high-profile case involving football star Michael Vick. Wyoming man runs over wolf and tortures it before killing it. Federal agencies plan to remove entire herds of wild horses from western public lands, places where the horses, pronghorn, mule deer, sheep and cattle have roamed together for hundreds of years. Hoarder in Montana charged with animal cruelty, a situation that happens around the United States. Animals, from rats and monkeys, to dogs and cats, are used daily in research projects, enduring pain on a continuous basis.
Case after case after case, story after story after story. Animal abuse runs rampant.
What is being done?
Dogs, cats, and other animals endure suffering from hoarders, puppy mill breeders, and others. Pixabay photo
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in charge of inspecting dog breeders to ensure animals are cared for with not just food, water, and shelter, but veterinary care as well. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) documented cases from the USDA and found inspectors lax in their duties. Federal law requires humane care, however, two cases in Missouri, in particular, showed no action taken by USDA representatives despite finding dogs living in squalor conditions, like feces, urine, and dirt, and lacking food, while another kennel housed dogs with severe, painful mats in their fur and gum and dental disease not being treated.
And while an investigation is underway in the pronghorn shooting case, other excessive wildlife poaching cases show little punishment or accountability by game wardens and courts, including that of the tortured wolf.
Throughout the western U.S. wild horses are chased and captured, depriving them of the freedom generations have enjoyed, and though populations should be controlled so all wildlife have access to grass and water, the elimination of entire herds is planned for this year by the federal agency supposedly in charge of their welfare – the Bureau of Land Management.
If those who are to ensure the health and life of creatures throughout the United States are not, or cannot, do their jobs, who will stand up for the animals God has made?
And this is just in the United States.
Animals dying around the world
Throughout the world, animals are suffering. The number of beached whales and dolphins rising. Dog and cat meat operations in Asia continue. Elephant and rhino deaths and suffering because of poachers and sellers of ivory, horns, and tusks. Experimentation on animals is a global issue.
Be Kind to Animals Week takes place May 4 – 10, 2025. This specially-designated awareness began in 1915, started by the American Humane Association, now known as the American Humane Society (and once called simply American Humane). Showing kindness is not a new concept – Jesus spoke of the Good Samaritan and told His followers to “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (known as ‘The Golden Rule’) – see Matthew 7:12.
An angel appeared to Balaam in the Old Testament and asked why the man beat his donkey (see Numbers 22:32), and in Job, the Lord said, “Just ask the animals and they will teach you (Job 12:7). The LORD cares about His creatures, and He expects us to care for them as well.
No matter our age, we can all treat animals with kindness and care. Photo from Unsplash.com
Care for God’s creatures
From cats and dogs to horses and wildlife, God’s creatures, and His creation, are suffering, and it’s up to His people to stand up and speak for all He has made. We are stewards of all God gives to us, including this Earth on which we live. It may not be our permanent home, but that matters little – as long as we live in our earthly bodies on this planet, God wants His people to take care of what He’s made. That includes the creatures with whom we share this earthly life.
Not only do we know about creation stewardship from Genesis (see chapters 1 and 2), but also the Apostle John declares this of Jesus in his Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:1-4).
The Son, Jesus, along with our Father God, made all things and was (and is) “life.” When we purposefully destroy life or see and know others who do and then do nothing about it, we are guilty of allowing the Destroyer, the Devil, to win a battle. The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The Devil is also called “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44), and a deceiver (see Revelation 20:10).
The evil one seeks to destroy God’s creation, human and otherwise. Yes, our Lord will ultimately win the war, but, like soldiers, we are to defend our Leader’s purpose and values, and our Leader’s purpose and value is life. Creation, from the skies to the earth, declare His glory, and as His followers, we need to do the same and honor the works of His hands. God is the life-giver, and, alongside His warrior and messenger angels, we need to defend and declare that.
Be a Michael – Defend and proclaim Life
Angels defend and proclaim life. The announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds came from angels. Michael, the Archangel, “the head of a battalion of angels,” defends God’s people. In Daniel 10:13, Michael is called “one of the chief princes.” As Christ-followers and God’s children, we need to be Michaels in this world, defending God’s creation, defending life.
How can we do that when so much evil prevails? Not every person can do every thing needed. However, through the power of Christ, each of us can do what He calls us to do.
Spending time in prayer and in God’s word guides us into the purpose and plans He has for us. What role in creation care might He have for you? Photo from Unsplash.com
Spend time with Him. Find your purpose regarding His creation. Perhaps that’s volunteering at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Maybe that’s financially supporting a nature/conservation or animal rescue group. Maybe it’s picking up trash in your community. Perhaps it’s educating others about the beauty and value of God’s creation. Maybe it’s helping with legislation in your community, state, and/or nation or writing letters in support of or against some measure that protects or harms God’s creatures/creation.
Discover your purpose in fighting for and defending God’s creatures and His creation. Pray, seek His desire for you to be a Michael for what He has made.
“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand—Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? Isn’t this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste?
True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.”
Job 12: 7 – 13 (The Message Bible)