The Stranger

All references in this post are from the NIV of the Bible

I'd like to do a different sort of book review today. Not only do I want to recommend this book but I also would like to suggest a way to use it as a family devotional. Some of my favorite books are illustrated with photographs. Nature is my favorite subject. Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick do a great job of capturing nature and children in both story and photography. Stranger in the Woods was my first introduction to their books. I'd like to take a look at Stranger in the Woods and see how our Sovereign God fits into "the picture."

The animals discover a stranger in their woods one morning. When did he come? How did he get there? They tried to answer these things themselves. Even when Jesus was grown and teaching, the people had a hard time accepting Him because they didn't understand where he came from. King Herod wanted to know where the new baby was, the one the wise men were searching for. The Pharisees didn't think Jesus fit the mold of the Messiah either. 

          When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he            asked them where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:4. 

          They(the Pharisees) replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find            that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” John 7:52

In our book, the animals are afraid. Who would approach the stranger first? Would the others follow? At first, people were skeptical about following Jesus. They questioned if any good thing could come out of Nazareth. Then they were afraid to follow because their leaders wanted to kill Jesus, even though by this time they were admitting that no one could do the miracles He did unless God were with Him. 

            Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the one Moses       wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathaniel asked.“Come and see,” said Philip. John 1:45,46

          Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member            of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said,         “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”  John 3:1,2

The animals in our book did follow the chickadee to the stranger. They found food from the snowman's head to his toes. They were filled and went away thankful for the stranger. Jesus is our" stranger" who has come to give himself for us, that we might have that spiritual bread and water for eternal life if we will only come to Him. 

          Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

Two children hidden in the bushes, watched the animals in our book. They were glad to be able to provide for the animals.  They didn't want the animals to worry about where they would find food. Neither does the Lord want us to worry. He wants to provide our every need. 

          So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

One of the children asked how long they would feed the animals. The other replied with visions of springtime, when the earth would be renewed. Jesus promises us a time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. A place where there will be no more tears. Until then He will provide for us. 

“See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:10

For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” 

Revelation 7:17

Look around. How is our Sovereign God providing for you today?

Noticing is half way to giving praise. You cannot give praise for that which you have not seen or experienced.

          These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6,7

                                Blessings,

                                    Gail

Hey Kids:

What stories have you read that you can relate to a Bible story?

Some are easier to do than others. Other stories by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick would probably good starters. Fairy Tales and poems are also easy to work with. Give it a try and let us know what you discover this week.