Why do dogs pant? According to petmd.com there are several reasons why dogs pant. Here is a list:
- Looking for something to drink
- To circulate the necessary air through their bodies to cool down
- It could be a medical emergency, an illness, or the dog may be having a severe allergic reaction that is affecting her ability to breathe.
- They are excited
- A normal fear response
In Pslam 119:131 we read “I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.”
When I read the scriptures this morning, the imagery of a dog panting just stayed in my mind. So, I said, “Okay, God, speak to me through a dog’s life.”
Well, He did. When I discovered the reasons why dogs pant, I couldn’t help but make the connection between the analysis and our need for God. Work with me here:
- Are you looking for something to drink? Tip up and enjoy:
- John 4:14, “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
- John 7:37, “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”
- Revelation 22:17, “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, “Come!” Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!”
- Do you need to “cool down”? Feel the peace in:
- Psalm 23:1-3. I’ve always heard it in the King James version or the NIV. But here it is in The Message: “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Imagine yourself lying down in a beautiful green meadow or pasture. There is a peaceful stream by for you to drink from and to relax to the sound of the water flowing by. This is calming me down just thinking about it.
- Do you need a doctor? God is the great physician.
- God performed the first CPR ever in Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
- Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
- John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
- Pslam 107:20, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
- Do you ever feel exicted about hearing or reading God’s word or pumped up about going to a Christian concert or a conference/camp?
- Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
- In 2 Samuel 6:12 and 14, King David celebrated extravagantly, and leaped and danced before the Lord.
- Have you ever felt such fear that you turned to the Lord?
- Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,for you are with me;”
- Psalm 27:1, “Lord, you are my Light and my Savior, so why should I be afraid of anyone? The Lord is where my life is safe, so I will be afraid of no one!”
There are a plethora of bible verses to coincide with each reason why we should pant for the Lord. So, no matter what your circumstance may be, pant. Go ahead, I dare you to stick your tongue out (open wide) and pant for more of God. (I saw that. Stick your tongue back in your mouth. J)
Blessings to you.
| November 8, “Walking in the Word” |