The name bandicoot, or Indian mole rat or pig rat, seems to suit this strange animal quite well. If you saw one you would certainly use your camera, for it is one of the most interesting creatures you will ever see. It is rather cute with long silky hair, light gray on its back, red on its sides and white below. You can see one in a zoo, but otherwise you will have to go to Australia or some other South Pacific land to catch a glimpse of one since that is where they live.
Actually there are eight or nine species ranging in size from six inches plus a four-inch tail to about two feet long with a ten-inch tail. You would immediately notice its enormous ears (which give it is name) that are kept erect at all times. Perhaps next you would observe its long narrow head ending in a sharp, pointed snout.
Although it appears peculiar to us, it is one of God’s creatures with a purpose in His creation. Other features He has provided are an extra-long tail which helps support it when standing erect and legs which, like a kangaroo’s, are short in front but long in back, enabling it to hop as quickly as a jackrabbit. It also has sharp claws to scratch for insects and worms, and to dig a burrow home.
In fact, most seem to like digging extra burrows. In some of these they store quantities of seeds, rice, or other food for use in the seasons when food is not available. While the natives do not like the damage bandicoots do to their crops, there are times when they are thankful to find and rob these stores of grain to help out on a family’s food supply.
The bandicoot is like a miniature kangaroo in another way. They are both marsupials. This means that the females have a pouch in their bodies for carrying their young. The difference is that the kangaroo’s pouch is on the front of her body while the bandicoot’s is on her back. The Creator perhaps arranged this so that when the mother bandicoot is digging in the dirt and throwing it back with her partially-webbed feet, she will not be getting it into the pouch or on her five or six babies hidden in there.
Does God look upon bandicoots? We know He does, for the Bible plainly says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest [visible] in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13). And that includes each of us, too.
What does He see when He looks into your heart and thoughts? Does He see someone who knows His Son, the Lord Jesus, as Saviour and Lord? These are important questions. Do not fail to take care of them today.
ML-01/12/1986