All Creatures Great and Small - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2024

Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 8-10, Mark 11:19-33

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
Psalm 36:6

Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 36:5-10

Michelle Grant trained a baby beaver named Timber to return to the wild. When she took him for swims in a pond, he'd come back to her kayak to snuggle and rub noses. One morning Timber didn't return. Michelle scoured the pond for six hours before giving up. Weeks later she found a beaver skull. Assuming it was Timber, she began to cry.

My soul ached for Michelle and Timber. I told myself, "Snap out of it. He's just a large, aquatic rodent." But the truth is, I cared—and so does God. His love reaches high to the heavens and down to the smallest creature, part of the creation He calls us to steward well (Genesis 1:28). He preserves "both people and animals" (Psalm 36:6), providing "food for the cattle and for the young ravens" (147:9).

One day Michelle was kayaking in a neighbor's pond and—surprise—there was Timber! He'd found a beaver family and was helping them raise two kits. He surfaced beside Michelle's kayak. She smiled, "You look well. You have a beautiful family." He cooed, splashed his tail, and swam to his new mom.

I love happy endings, especially my own! Jesus promised that as His Father feeds the birds, so He will supply whatever we need (Matthew 6:25-26). Not one sparrow falls "to the ground outside your Father's care. . . . So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (10:29-31).

By: Mike Wittmer

Reflect & Pray
What care do you need to give to your heavenly Father? What need of others might He want you to meet?

Father, I lift up my cares and worries to You.