Lesson 280 Running with the Coyotes

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

 

 

RUNNING WITH THE COYOTES

We had a beautiful German shepherd.  She had been with us since a pup and had always been friendly.  She played with the neighborhood dogs, children, and was loved by all.  Her greatest joy was when we would arrive home from work and played fetch the plastic pop bottle.  She was nothing more than a pup in a grown up body.

We noticed the change slowly.  First it came with her greetings.  They were less enthusiastic and briefer than before.  The fetch the bottle game seemed to not have as much joy neither was her interest sustained.  She seemed to always be looking for something in the hills.  She started fighting with other dogs that she had previously run with and her demeanor turned cold.  She growled on occasion at the neighbors.  Once she even exposed her teeth with a growl when I tried to discipline her.   She started chasing the neighbor’s cats and chickens.  This was something she had never done before because she was raised and taught not to do such things.  Her changes mystified and troubled us.

One night I was awakened by the howls of coyotes.  To my surprise and shock, I heard her answer the call.  I looked out the window and there in the moonlight she stood, head reared backwards and producing a wolf-like howl.  She would then gaze into the night, seemingly looking for something. 

It was then that I saw them.  Three coyotes came up to her and the dominate one charged at her.  To my dismay, our pet rolled over in a submissive manner and allowed the coyotes come to her.  Then she began bouncing around and playing with them in the field.  I stepped out to call her to the deck but she was already gone.  She was running with the coyotes.  That night a neighbor’s dog was seriously injured by a coyote attack.  Our gentle pet was seen with the coyotes as they mobbed the poor animal.

I knew what I had to do.  Amidst protests from the family, I purchased a kennel.  Within one night she had managed to get out of the kennel and run with the coyotes.   I knew that if I didn’t get her away from those wild animals, her spirit would be like Bucks and hear the call of the wild.  I decided to chain her inside the kennel.

That night they came for her.  They sniffed around the case and finally dug at the bottom of the kennel to entice her to come out and run with them.  Our beloved dog pulled on the chain and whimpered in a pitiful manner but could not get free.  A shot rang out and the leader of the pack fell just outside the kennel and after a loud yep lay motionless on the ground. The others ran as fast as they could to escape.  I stood on the deck with tears in my eyes, realizing that I had to save my dog by removing the wildest creature that was leading her astray.  

Have you ever run with the coyotes?  I recall working on the Navajo Reservation and the word they had for coyote.  It was trickster.  I thought this was a perfect description for a coyote which is an opportunist and very clever.  Though a beautiful creature, they will create havoc around a home if all of the animal's natural food sources are destroyed.  Hence the balance of life, the good and evil, are preserved or destroyed. 

Sometimes in my life I ran with the coyotes.  I remember my mother telling me that I would become like the friends that I ran with.  I now see the truth of that simple statement. 

The Bible is clear in its warning to us about who we associate with and what will happen if we heed the coyote’s call.  Hebrews 12: 1-3 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  We are warned in John 10:10 that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” I Peter 5:8 tells us that we must, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

There is good news.  When we repent, truly repent and renounce our old ways, we become new creatures.  And then when the coyotes come, we are armed with truth and His Word.  Notice what James 4:7 says about that:  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  Now how about that!  The devil will flee from you when you submit yourself to God! 

Friends we must always be on guard, as the enemy is always looking for ways to get you out of the kennel and have you run with the coyotes.  You have power over the devil through Jesus Christ our Lord.  He will defeat the enemy on every plane if you call upon Him.  The enemy will still be out there, but you will have the greatest warrior between you and the ‘trickster’ that has ever existed.  Trust Him today and whenever you feel like running with the coyotes, run to Him instead.  Thankful to the coyote catcher, I remain the old general.