December 28,1997
Dear Brother Earl:
Are you familiar with the scripture, “dumb dogs that would not bark?”
Our Landlord keeps several watchdogs behind his apartment. At
night, he lets two of them roam through the general store and
storage rooms downstairs to discourage intruders which they do
very handily. One look at their size and teeth, and any self-respecting
burglar will vanish into the night from which he came. You also
maintain several dogs for the same reason, as do others who live
in the country.
It is expected that a watch dog will sound the alarm if an intruder,
emergency, fire, or some other unusual occurrence breaks fourth
with ferocious barking, although there are some truly stupid dogs
who bark when there is no reason.
If a canine guard fails to signal the presence of an intruder
in a timely fashion to alert the occupants of the house, then
he is worse then worthless for such failure is considered negligence
that could endanger his master and family. The indignation of
his owner, when learning of the tragic consequences to his family
caused by the dog’s failure to issue the necessary warning,
knows no bounds. The animal, if not killed outright, is consigned
to an ignominious life guarding the trash bin in the back yard.
To open ones mouth with a timely warning is the sole purpose of
many dogs.
When the wolf enters the church and ravages the flock, where are
the guard dogs to issue a warning of the impending danger? Wolves
a plenty are stalking God’s cherished heritage but the dumb
dogs are sound asleep, with paws crossed, and muzzle contentedly
resting upon them in calm indifference to the danger that threatens
his masters household.
A dog intuitively recognizes danger, he needs no instruction concerning
the threat of fire, flood, thieves, or skunks, yet God’s
children are marvelously indifferent or idle in the face of similar
threats.
Even a wild dog, once domesticated, responds to threat or danger
with a bark, but we have lost our alertness, our sensitivity,
rousing ourselves only long enough to yawn and ponder the fate
of our master with criminal indifference for His interests.
The Lord, our master, after showering love unbounded upon us and
giving us a guide book that points out such dangers as a dog intuitively
understands has taken a journey into a far country, leaving us
in charge of His flock, His precious flock.
What then is our excuse when over powered by indifference? How
shall we answer the master’s wild lament upon finding His
flock torn and scattered, we are but dumb dogs that refuse to
bark.
God’s property, the church, is being fiercely torn by thieves
and murders, let us awake from slumber, unlimber our paws, open
our mouths and bark with fierce indignation. Let us not hold our
peace for fear of the thief or murder. What care they for niceties
when devouring the sheep of His pasture? What concern disturbs
their mischief when prowling about the sheep? Therefore, let us
fear them not, nor their rebuke, but sound the alarm with piercing
clarity, that the sheep may be aroused from slumber.
During the Civil War, night watchmen who fell asleep at their
posts were summarily executed for endangering the sleeping company.
Will God not respond with equal severity when his sleeping sentinels
report that the company was destroyed because they took their
rest rather then remaining alert?
Fear them not, the master cautions us of the thief or murder,
fear my wrath and indignation. Christ is a tender and merciful
God of great compassion, yet he counts the cost of the sacrifice
He paid for our ransom in comparison to our indifference, and
his wrath grows hot while tears fill His eyes.
Bark, dog, bark!
May the Lord bless you and may your bark be heard in the ears
of the sleeping saints arousing them to the dangers that threaten
their eternal interests. Fear them not, fear God more. Your brother
in Christ.
Allen A. Benson