He positioned himself on an elevated rock, senses on high alert. He breathed in the air trying to catch a scent of anything threatening his kin. Since his second birthday his mother said he had a responsibility to protect the others. His community housed 80 and once the males reached a certain age, they were expected to keep watch.

This morning his mother nudged him out of their home. “It’s time to prove yourself, Son.”

He shook as he climbed each rock until he found the one where he had positioned himself now. What if he failed? What if he let an intruder slip by?

Tribal songs snapped him out of his stupor and he glanced at his friends playing in the distance. A pang of jealously hit him like a bee stinging its prey. He longed to join in on the chatter and to bask in the sun.

He raised his head. No, he had responsibilities now. That life was over.

A shadow caught his attention and he erected himself higher. An eagle lurched itself in a nearby tree.

Danger! He needed to warn the others.

He stood on his hind legs and trilled with all his might. The high pitch sound silenced his community and within seconds they disappeared into the rocks. Their safe haven.

Once he knew the others were protected, he crept into his rock of refuge. The danger was averted.

Have you ever heard of a rock badger? They live in rock crevices and when there’s any sign of danger they slip back to their rock and hide. They live in communities of approximately 80 and the males keep watch over their families. They have at least 21 different vocal signals, including a high-pitched trill that alerts the others to predators. Interesting creatures.

My pastor spoke about the badger in one of his sermons and it got me thinking. What if we mimicked these animals and hid in our Rock? Ran to our Rock? We all know this world is full of threats. The horrific shooting at the movie theatre in Colorado this past week proves we live in constant danger. We just never know.

What do we do? Do we stay locked up in our homes to keep ourselves safe? Hardly. Do we move to a remote location? That wouldn’t help either.

No, we put our trust in the only Rock that will save us. Jesus Christ. Our refuge and strength. Listen to the Holy Spirit for signs of danger. To tell us we’re going down the wrong path.

Who will trill for us so we can hide in our Rock? How about we help each other out? Pray for your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbours. This is the best way for us to keep each other safe.

Or, do you see someone close to you heading down a steep slope and you know they’re going to fall? Lovingly talk to them (after you’ve prayed about it).

We need to stay grounded in the Rock…the Word. It will equip us against our predators.

What if we hid in the Rock? We’d be protected—constantly.

Let’s learn from these creatures God made. Run to the Rock!

What other ways can we keep each other safe? Do you have an experience where you sensed danger and you changed your course just in time? Share in the comments section.

Psalm 94:22 (NLT)

But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

If you would like to learn more about the rock badger or see a picture of one, go to this site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_hyrax