Title:- Tom Wattle & Ringing Bells
Job 39:13-17 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense.”NIV
Since President Lincoln’s appointment of a national day of thanksgiving in 1863, each president since then has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually intended to be the fourth Thursday of each November. Unfortunately this has become known as Turkey Day! So let’s take up the theme, for birds are so prominent and emblematic in the history of nations, and biblically so full of reference and instruction, that we cannot fail to get fed!
Writing about America's national bird, the Bald Eagle, the National Wildlife Federation tells of the first American bird controversy concerning the Eagle and the Turkey that arose between Benjamin Franklin and Congress. They write: ‘A year after the Treaty of Paris ended the conflict with Great Britain; Franklin argued that the turkey would have been a more appropriate symbol. “A much more respectable bird and a true native of America,” he pointed out. Franklin conceded that the turkey was “a little vain and silly,” but maintained that it was nonetheless a “bird of courage” that “would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.” Congress was not convinced, however.’
So tell me Congress, just what is wrong with having the Turkey as the national emblem? The wild Turkey can fly faster than a horse can gallop! Each Tom's leg, sports such a fearfully sharp spur and then stands so tall, that it looks like it's packing a couple of six shooters. Oh yes, a turkey is armed and extremely dangerous! As for beauty, well, when a flock of wild turkeys take to the skies their iridescent metallic glittering feathers turn the whole sky into a copper dome metallic cloud! Its brave chest bears its own medals of honor, and it’s brightly coloured warlike caruncles, those fleshy masses around the head and neck, are colourfully communicative when agitated or aroused, and that happens even in the ultraviolet range that is invisible to humans! Imagine that! It seems that the majestic turkey has undoubtedly been given a very bad name.
Our verse today is taken from a delightful diatribe of God. Gently, yet forcefully and lovingly upbraiding Job, God sets out the secret and wonderful mysteries of His creation, in which He most certainly takes, what appears to us to be, a sincere and hidden, daily delight. In our text, God refers to the Ostrich, purposefully created by Him to be a bird that does not act like a bird! A bird that is in effect, goofy and clumsy. Imagine that! God says “I didn’t give her the wisdom she should have to adequately take care of her young.” Oh yes, He did say that friend! However, this is no excuse for those human turkeys which we see on the Jerry Springer show!
The point of the passage is this: God made you and though compared to other people you may not be the brightest bulb on the tree; though compared to other people you may not be the biggest bulb in the flower bed; though compared to other people…….. Well, you get my point. God does not make comparisons. You are the way He made you! YES YOU ARE! It is my belief, that in some way pleasing to the Father and most surprising to others, you are gifted to excel. Find it friends! My suspicion is that you shall find it when you search for it in the deep delights of the heart that God gave you. What rings your bell brother, sister? What gives you pleasure and makes you feel His smiling delight? Find it for it is most likely there that you will excel. You see, the thing is, maybe being a bit of a Turkey, is not a bad thing after all!
Listen:- “…for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider." Job 39:17-18 NIV
Pray: - Jesus, show me my heart, the new heart placed in me, my true heart, my good heart, my restored heart; then help me to live in it and unpack it's awesome treasures, these wonderful gifts from You, that I might feel and live in Your pleasure. Amen.
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