Amazing Animals: The Honey Badger

Amazing Animals: The Honey Badger

Bible Blast: Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

When our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Honey badgers are relatively small, weighing about thirty pounds, but they are among the most fearless animals in the world. I heard of one honey badger who got into a fight with a puff adder—a very poisonous snake. With one blow, the puff adder injected poison into the fearless ball of fur. After it was bitten, the honey badger ripped off the head of the snake and began to eat it. (I know. Gross, right?) Soon, the venom worked its way through the badger’s body, and it fell over, appearing to be dead. But after just a few hours, the honey badger got up, went back over to the headless viper, and continued to eat it for dinner. Here’s the thing: Honey badgers are relatively tiny creatures, but they are fearless and often win battles against insurmountable odds.

When the Roman soldiers crucified Jesus on the cross, they must have thought, Ha! We did it! We ended his life, and he won’t bother us again. Imagine their surprise when just a few days later, Jesus wasn’t in the tomb anymore because he was alive!

For those who follow Jesus, death isn’t the end. The end of physical life on earth marks the beginning of eternal life with other believers and God in heaven. Our life on earth is an incredible time of loving God and teaching others about him, but it’s not our forever home.

When I get discouraged by the world around me, I remember that I have a perfect, sinless home waiting for me in heaven. Knowing that gives me such hope and joy. It makes me kind of like that honey badger—fearless! I can even survive the attacks of the serpent we call the devil! The next time you feel “poisoned” by stuff going on around you, remember the honey badger and let the hope of eternity with God help you get back up again and keep on living.

Girl Gab: Find something in your house that weighs thirty pounds—your overweight cat, a frisky cocker spaniel, or a toddler brother or sister. If you can’t find something living, go get a few ten-pound sacks of flour or sugar. Take note of how small thirty pounds is, and remember that you are never too small to fight to win in God’s Kingdom!