The Fish that Goes Fishing

Exodus 34:7a
“… Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”

A family of fish that live in the depths of the sea actually go fishing – pole, dangling bait and all. This is only natural, since they, like people who go fishing, like to eat fish.

This group of fish is collectively called the angler fish. The front dorsal spine in the female angler is located on her head. It is much longer than any of the other dorsal fins and has a fleshy bait on the end. When hungry, she sits very still and dangles the bait in front of her mouth. It doesn’t take long before something swims up to investigate this bait as its possible lunch. But before it can think about taking a sample, the angler has turned the tables and eaten her own lunch.

Of course, this system wouldn’t work very well in the pitch darkness one mile below the surface of the ocean without one other special provision. Like many other fish at such depths, the angler is able to generate her own light. In her case, only the bait lights up, so she stays invisible to her victims. The chemical method she uses to create the light is nearly 100% efficient!

In His imaginative creativity, God was pleased to place creatures a mile below the surface of the sea. Yet in His mercy He has provided them with everything they need to make their living there. Likewise, you may not know why God has placed you into a particular situation right now. If He so cares for the creatures a mile below the waves, how much more does He care for You. And He has even included a light for you in His Son, Jesus Christ!

Prayer:
Father in heaven, I can see from what You have created that You are kind and caring. I learn from Your Word that You are also gracious and forgiving for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I ask that this truth would always be in my sight. Amen.

Author: Paul A. Bartz

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