The Anteater, a very unusual animal, makes its home in Mexico, Central and South America. There are a number of species ranging in size from just seven inches long to the more common Great Anteater, which is almost as big as a small bear. If you came across one of these in the wild with its long, shaggy, Gray hair striped with white, its bushy tail almost as big as the rest of it, and its odd-shaped head, you might well be frightened. Actually they do no harm unless they are attacked. Anteaters live in burrows, hollow logs, or sometimes in trees. They are mostly active at night or at dusk. Some live for 25 or 30 years.
This animal has been designed by the Lord God to serve a very special purpose. God has given it features that look odd to us, but they are exactly right for what it has been designed to do. As its name indicates, the Anteater searches for and eats large numbers of ants and termites. By doing so it serves a useful purpose, keeping down the populations of these insects. Otherwise they would multiply beyond control and do great damage.
What is so unusual about the Anteater? Its head, nose and mouth are its most outstanding features. It has a long skull with tiny ears and a long snout that tapers down to a point, forming a long, hollow tube with a small brain at the top. The mouth is so small that a pencil could not fit into it, and it has no jaws or teeth.
The main working part of its usual head is its long tongue. This sticky tongue, about two feet long, whips out with lightning speed to snare its meal, and is drawn back into its mouth where the food passes along to the stomach.
Equipped with strong legs and sharp claws, the Anteater can defend itself well, and most animals know better than to attack it. Hover, the claws are not primarily used for fighting, but as tools with which to tear open the strongly built ant hills. With its home torn open, the ant or termite colony is soon wiped out. Strong leg muscles also help it roll over rocks where ants hide.
The Anteater is not aware of it, but it depends on God to direct it to food. As the Psalmist wrote: “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.” Psalms 145:1515The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalm 145:15).
Are you aware that this is true of you, too? “In (God’s) hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10).
How important it is to remember our dependence on Him. He not only has provided the way of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but He also prepares the hearts and souls of those who will trust in Him. Can you say, “We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life"? 1 John 5:2020And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20).
ML-05/02/1982