Bewildered.
Unsettled.
And in a great deal of danger.
This Blue Jay had chosen to fly into the chicken run, but now it was trapped.
It’s fellow cage mates were eagerly awaiting it to land within reach.
Because chickens will eat other birds, one peck at a time.
This was a circumstance of it’s own choosing and now it’s consequence was grave.
How long could it keep out of reach?
Where was the passage out of this death sentence?
Thankfully, God had sent me to feed the lamb early.
I shouted to Jase upon seeing this bird and took the picture while awaiting his help.
Then we both got into the pen.
Jase held the chickens back while I opened the door and encouraged the jay to fly in the correct direction.
The crazy thing about this is it’s not the first time.
A few weeks ago a Blue Jay had flown into the run and by the time I found it, the poor thing was gasping for air, it’s tongue hanging out of it’s beak, holding onto the chicken wire upsidedown, to try to stay out of reach.
After it gained it’s breath again it began throwing itself all over the run in an effort to fly out.
That time, I was able to get the few chickens who were in the run, back into the coop and then opened the run door and waited for the bird to fly out.
Afterwards, I checked the entire run to be certain there wasn’t a hole somewhere.
After investigating, the only space I found that it could come in were two small areas above the door which is rounded and the opening which is rectangular.
I have no idea why it would fly through that small space once, much less twice.
Yet, something of humanity resembles this bird and the deadly cage it chose to fly into.
And the Lord said to me, “A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.”
Jeremiah 11:9-10 NKJV
The consequences of turning one’s back to God and living according to the dictates of one’s selfish desires is grave.
Too often people fall to the enemy’s lie that God’s commandments are too cumbersome, they restrict unfairly, but nothing has changed since the beginning.
Genesis 3:4 NKJV — Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”
The lies of the enemy are just as cunning and just as deadly as at the beginning.
Thus, we must be on guard against sin and those smooth sounding reasons to turn our back upon God.
John 15:10 KJV — If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
God’s commandments are for our protection, to keep us from harm and from harming those around us.
When one chooses sin for themselves, they are locking their lives into a cage where their cell mates want to devour them and their ability to live for the purpose God created them is extinguished.
Instead of living a life full of the joy of the Lord, they wear themselves out just trying to survive.
Psalm 32:10 NKJV — Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
But it doesn’t need to be this way.
Daily surrendering ourselves before the Lord Jesus in obedience to His Word, gives us protection from falling prey to the enemy’s snares and lies.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NKJV — “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.”
And if one finds themselves already inside this horrible cage of their own choosing, God is merciful, but one must repent.
Luke 13:3 KJV — I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
How much better it is to be wise and faithful before God, than to choose sin and suffer needlessly.
Let us, therefore cling to God and choose to serve Him, living in fullness for which He created us, in reverence and love to the One Who gave us life and salvation.
Psalm 100:2 KJV — Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this example of the dangers You want us to avoid. Thank You for giving us instructions to live by. Lord Jesus, I lift up those who have fallen prey to the lies of the enemy. I lift up those who are already trapped inside the cage of their own choosing which is ultimately death. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You that You want to release those who are suffering from their own sin. Please put Your Word into their lives and let them see the truth of their choices. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach those who believe in You how to avoid the snares of the enemy and how to shun evil and cling to what is good. Lord, please walk with us daily, guiding us and granting understanding that we might not only avoid the cage of sin, but will teach others to avoid it as well. Lord Jesus, for those who have yet to know You, I pray that they might hear Your voice, see Your truth and turn away from those things which have separated them from You. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your grace and the gift of salvation. May my life bring glory and honor to Your name, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 