For many years the coyote had almost vanished from parts of Maine, but more recently they seem to be making a comeback.
We were speaking to Walt Dutch, a trapper, not long ago. He thinks coyotes are here to stay. He says that although they are around various parts of Maine, they are seldom seen because of their shyness and the denseness of the brush and woods where they live. In southern Maine he believes the animals are half coyote and half wolf. In central Maine, where they are called a “coy dog,” he says they are half coyote and half domestic dog.
Dutch was called on last summer by farmer Goodrich to trap some coyotes on his land. One of the farmer’s cows had given birth to a calf while grazing out in the pasture, but the calf was nowhere to be found. Mr. Goodrich searched the pasture, but only the calf’s backbone was found. The calf had been eaten by coyotes as soon as it was born. That is why Mr. Goodrich contacted his trapper friend Dutch.
Dutch told us that the coyote has an important place in the wild, keeping down the rodent population. But around farms they can be troublesome and a danger to small animals.
After placing his traps on the Goodrich farm, Dutch checked them each day to see if he had caught anything. Several days later he found that one trap had been sprung, but there was no coyote in the trap. The coyote had indeed been caught, but sensing its great danger it had chewed off the paw that was caught and had freed itself, minus one paw. Dutch continued to set the traps throughout the summer, but without catching a single coyote.
Finally, one day the trap was sprung again. This time the coyote chewed off the leg that was caught in the trap to free itself. Dutch knew it was the same coyote because the leg was missing its paw. After this, the old trapper decided to take his traps home.
When Dutch told us this story, it reminded me of a story in the Bible. Like a coyote, a wolf seeks out easy prey. John chapters 10 speaks of the wolf that comes to catch the sheep and destroy them. But the Good Shepherd cares for the sheep.
You and I are those sheep. The Bible often calls us sheep because we want to go our own sinful way. Then we run into trouble. Sheep need a shepherd to protect them, not only from wandering away but from the greater danger of a wolf. The Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can protect us.
Mr. Goodrich and his friend Dutch were not able to save the calf or even to catch the coyote so that it could not strike again. But the Lord Jesus has defeated our enemy. You see, boys and girls, sin and Satan are just like that coyote or wolf, but the Lord Jesus suffered and died on Calvary’s cross for sin, and there He defeated Satan. Yes, He gave up His life for the sheep. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11). He also says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27,2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28).
Have you decided to follow Jesus? Is He your Good Shepherd? You can tell Him right now that you want to follow Him! He will save you and give you eternal life if you do this.
ML-12/11/1988