Sentinel chickens ∙

Sentinel chickens ∙

O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD. – Isaiah 62:6

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

 1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we do not really need to write you.

 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some do not even wear clothes. Despite advancing technologies, a seemingly primitive method for detecting some of the world’s most widespread diseases reigns supreme in counties across the country: sentinel chickens. Sentinel chickens are an essential ally in disease detection.

Designated chicken coops are placed in areas believed to be endemic to infected mosquitos. There, the chickens are fed and cared for and go about living “normal” chicken lives while waiting to be bitten by the mosquitos. Regularly, blood is drawn from the chickens and tested for viruses known to be carried by mosquitoes, most notably West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). When chickens test positive, it indicates that carrier mosquitoes are in the area. Unlike humans, chickens do not get sick from the diseases they contract from mosquitoes. They are not harmed in any way.

Without the sentinel program, an area’s level of virus activity would be nothing more than guesswork. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be effectively flying blind until human cases popped up.

BTW – Chicken Little did not make the cut – too much imagination.

The Father has many reasons for keeping children of the King in the world. As children of the light and knowing the truth of Scripture, they can act as sentinels, watchmen. They are often more aware than others of approaching danger as they observe signs of trouble. The Day of Judgement is coming, and the Lord will return unexpectedly like a thief in the night. The children of darkness will be surprised, but not so for the children of the light. It will not be a shock for the children of the King. They longingly await the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As children of the light, we are responsible for being on guard and not lulled to sleep by those who say, “Peace and safety.”

REFLECT & PRAY

As the predicted return of the Lord Jesus Christ draws closer, the signs will indicate that the time is near. Rather than fear and dread, we are to rejoice.

Father keep me spiritually alert and aware. I long for Your son’s return, but I ache for those I love who do not know Him.

INSIGHT

When does a thief strike his target? No one knows in advance. So it is with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one knows the day and the hour of His return. We are to remain vigilant.

The Lord Jesus Christ told us to watch for Him and keep at His business until He comes. The prospect of His return should motivate us not to become lazy but to work even harder.

John 9:4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

In our society today, one out of three people dies from cancer. When a terminal case of cancer is diagnosed, a short period is predicted until the end. When a patient is faced with certain death, how do they react? Some people become discouraged and dismayed. They just give up. While others are determined to get things right with the Father and all those, they will leave behind.

As the last days of our lives approach, we should dedicate ourselves to serving the Father as much as possible until He takes us home.

1 Chronicles 12:32 The sons of Issachar, men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.

This particular group of people understood the signs of the times and knew the best course of action for people to take. So it should be with us.

Isaiah 62:6-7

 6 O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD.

 7 Give the LORD no rest until he completes his work until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.

The Father’s watchmen are guardians, like sentries on the city wall. They pray and watch for the fulfillment of the Father’s promises. His sentinels will never be silent and take no rest; they will never give up. They diligently pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-25-2

© Dr. H 2022