It was Larry’s job to look after the cows. Often he had to go into the woods to look for them. How he wished he had a dog to help him, but Larry didn’t have a dog.
One evening when he went to look for the cows, he couldn’t find them anywhere. He went into the woods to see if they were there. Sure enough, among the trees, he caught sight of them. What a strange sight he saw!
The cows were all standing in a circle with their heads to the outside. They were looking very fierce. Larry was afraid. He ran home as fast as he could and told his father.
“Some wild animal must be near,” said his father, and he went to get his rifle. Larry ran to the neighbor who also came with his rifle and big dog, Rover. Together they all went back into the woods. The cows were still standing in the circle.
Rover sniffed the air, then he ran to a big tree and began to bark furiously. Looking up, Father and the neighbor saw a large wild animal-a panther, stretched out on one of the lower branches.
“Bang! Bang!” went both their rifles. The panther fell dead.
As they began to drive the cows home, what do you think they found inside the circle? They found the little calves there. Not one of them had been hurt! The faithful mothers had protected their little ones.
This story makes me think of how all those who trust in the Lord Jesus are kept safe inside of a circle too. He puts a circle of protection around each and all His own. Psalm 34:77The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7) tells us that: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Again in Psalm 125:22As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. (Psalm 125:2) we read: “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even forever.”
How good it is to be safe inside of God’s circle! There the Lord Jesus keeps His own safe from the enemy day by day. M.D.J.
ML-10/09/1977