What kinds of animals live in Africa?

Let's see. There are giraffes and zebras, lions and leopards, baboons and monkeys, rhinos and hippos. But I'm thinking of an animal that is bigger than these. What is it?

An elephant, of course!

Out story is about a herd of elephants that live in Addo Elephant Park, a large, enclosed park in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Tour groups often travel through the park in open vehicles that allow for easy viewing of the animals.

On one such tour in the spring of 1977, the driver brought his vehicle to a stop at a large, muddy watering hole. On the bank above the hole was a herd of seven or eight adult female elephants, along with one baby elephant we'll call Troubles.

Like most children, Troubles was curious. And like most children, Troubles was fascinated by water. Troubles crept closer and closer to the edge of the watering hole until suddenly, before any of the mommy elephants could do anything to prevent it, Troubles fell down the steep embankment into the dirty, brown water.

Poor Troubles was really in trouble now. He kicked his feet and splashed water with his trunk. He tried to climb out, but his huge feet slid down the slippery mud wall. Alarmed, the mother elephants screamed and squealed. They paced back and forth on the bank. Their tails shot out straight behind them, a sign of distress. As Troubles continued to flail about in the water one mommy elephant awkwardly backed down the bank into the water. She moved behind Baby Troubles, nudging him towards the bank, but try as she might, she couldn't get him up to safety.

Meanwhile, the other elephants continued their screaming, pacing, and trumpeting. When they saw that Troubles' mommy was unable to rescue Troubles alone, one by one the elephants descended the steep slope into the water until only one elephant was left standing on the shore. Her role appeared to be that of rescue squad director. She guided the elephants to a shallow spot where the bank was not so steep. Now Baby Troubles could climb out easily, surrounded by the other elephants.

Once all were safely on the shore, the cries and screams subsided. Troubles, however, had other ideas. Thinking how fun it would be to repeat his adventure, he headed straight for the edge of the watering hole. but this time the watchful mommy elephants nudged him away before he could fall in. With their tree trunk-like legs they formed a living playpen for Troubles, encircling him so no matter which way he turned, he was within their protective circle.

The Bible tells us that when Adam sinned, the whole human race was doomed to die. Like Troubles the elephant, we had no hope of saving ourselves.

What did God do for us while we were in this lost condition?

Look up the following texts in your Bible and fill in the blanks.*

"But God demonstrates His own ___________toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for ________." Romans 5:8

What did Christ's death accomplish for every son and daughter of Adam?

"For if when we were ____________ we were reconciled to God through the __________ of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be __________ by His life." Romans 5:10

In our story, the mother elephants had to stoop down into the muddy water to save Troubles. What step did Jesus take to save us?

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise __________in the same." Hebrews 2:14

"Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His ___________, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God." Hebrews 2:17

The elephants who witnessed Troubles' fall desperately wanted Troubles to be rescued. What is the attitude of the heavenly angels and other created beings toward us?

"For the earnest __________ of the creation __________ waits for the revealing of the sons of God." Romans 8:19

In our story, Troubles tried to get back in the mud hole even after he had been saved from it. Since Christ has already saved the entire human race "while we were still sinners," why will anyone be lost?

"And this is the condemnation [the death certificate], that the __________ has come into the world, and men loved __________ rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19

"So we see that they could not enter in because of __________." Hebrews 3:19

Think of it The only reason any one will be lost is because they willfully and persistently refuse, neglect, or choose not to believe the Good News of what Christ has already done for every child of Adam. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He __________ His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Praise God!

_____________ * These texts are from the New King James Version, but you may use the King James or other versions to fill in the blanks.

Published in the 1888 Message Newsletter, March-May 2000.

Used with permission.

Published in the 1888 Message Newsletter