Sam's Sixth Spiritual Lesson
Defending the Lord
Sixth Spiritual Lesson
You might raise your eyebrows at this lesson. An omnipotent God does His own defending. However, I am talking about boldness in your actions and speech about fearlessly and unapologetically standing up as a Christian defending the honor and name of Christ.
Sam is normally a peace-loving dog. He wants to be friends with everyone. On occasion I have been asked by delivery people, first time guests, and meter readers, “Is he friendly?”
They say it in a soft manner so as not to offend me while warily eyeing the 75 pound black dog with the intense expression.
I usually respond with a grin. “You’re mostly in danger of being licked to death.”
Years ago, in another life as a police officer, I helped an expert K-9 trainer with service dogs. I learned a great deal from him on selecting, training, and bonding with partner police dogs.
I recall asking him if there were certain dogs that could not be trained effectively. “I can train any dog to attack on command, but there are some dogs that do not have the physique, like dachshunds, or temperaments that are suitable for protection.”
He went on to say that he screens a dog by having the dog stand by his owner/master and then feigns hostility to the master by swatting him on the shoulder. The WWII K-9 trainer said, “Once I see the dog’s reaction, does he cower or does he bow up like he is going to attack me, then I know then what type of training that’s appropriate.”
I asked, “So, you eliminate the dog that cowers, right?”
He smiled and explained that he did not eliminate that dog only he used the same technique of swatting the owner then swatting the dog. When the dog learns that if the master is attacked, then he is the next to be attacked. He becomes vigilant and protective of his master knowing that he will be on the assault list too. The dogs that bow up and are naturally protective of their master do not need to be motivated.
When Sam was still about two years old he surprised me when he showed an uncharacteristic aggression that was caused by a hostile act toward me.
One sunny morning I observed a cow that had strayed from a neighbor’s pasture to graze on my farm. I signaled to Sam to jump into the bed of my truck. As usual, he gleefully launched himself onto the lowered tailgate ready for the ride. I hoisted myself into the cab and drove out to the offending bovine, only to discover that it was a young bull.
I pulled up to within 20 yards of the alfalfa thief and stopped. Sam sat in the corner of my truck close to the driver’s window. I thought I would test him out. “Sam, go get that bull and run him back.”
Sam looked at the bull, then at me with puzzlement, but stayed sitting in the corner.
“Oh, you coward, I will take care of it.” With that pronouncement I proceeded to exit the truck and strode toward the bull waving my hands and yelling at him. I was expecting the bull to have a cow’s usual reaction and move toward the fence. But this bull was not the usual cow.
He lowered his head and started pawing the ground as he snorted. I stopped. I knew what was next. I considered that he outweighed me and discretion was the better part of valor. I belatedly started considering contingency plans.
I heard a commotion behind me and glanced to see Sam launch himself over the side of the truck and hit the ground running full tilt. He swept by me and targeted the bull’s nose. The bull seemed surprised, but anger at this interloper quickly took over. I watched the scene as Sam bit his nose then avoided goring by running around to his right rear leg and clamp down on it. The bull kicked and spun around, but Sam was gone to circle around and nip his other leg. My guardian then ran underneath the bull and bit his ample jowl.
Sam was tenacious and moved at high speed. The bull circled a number of times to get Sam into reach for butting, but the dog was too fast for him. It seemed this dance lasted for minutes, but it was only seconds.
Finally, the bull had enough and raced to the barbwire fence and jumped over. The last I saw of him, he was trotting off into a thicket of cedar trees.
The bull took a couple of backward glances, but Sam had stopped at the fence trotting back and forth, hackles raised, like a sentry. When he concluded that the bull would not return he bounded over to me eagerly. He sniffed and licked me seeming to assess any injuries that I might have.
“Good boy. Sorry I called you a coward.” I knelt down to pet him and he snuggled into my chest. I was certain he had forgiven me and overlooked my hurtful words.
I know that all Christians have witnessed incidents in which the Master was maligned by an unbeliever, or even a disenchanted believer. It may take the form of profanity, a scornful statement, or a taunt for your faith. Whatever form it takes, you recognized it. Did you respond in defense of the Lord and His Word, or silently absorb it? I don’t mean that you were supposed to pummel the offender, but did you stand up for your faith irregardless of the consequences?
Sam taught me that love and obedience to your Master includes being proactive in protecting His name and reputation. Despite any fear, or uneasiness about confrontation, we need to gird up ourselves to defend the Creator. Ever since Sam’s encounter with the bull, I have made a point to be vocal about my faith.
It is no secret that in this day and time in our nation we find Christianity and the followers of Jesus under constant attack. I am not a prophet, but I am certain this will worsen.
“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26 (NIV)