A Tail Tale

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"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us."

Romans 8:31-34, ESV

A doggy tail is the equivalent of a mood ring. Want to know if Squirrel is happy?

Check the tail.

Is he scared?

Check the tail.

Peeved at me for making him run in the pouring rain?

Check the tail. Or the above photo for proof.

...wouldn't it be nice if people had a tail, or at least a tail equivalent? No more guessing games about how another person is feeling. Are they just saying that to be nice? Are they smiling but actually seething with rage beneath the surface? It's all a mystery.

Sometimes I wish God himself had a "tail" indicator, so I would know exactly how He is feeling toward me today. Oh, I know the Bible says that God loves me, and He judges me by the righteousness of Christ, and not by my own perfection (or lack thereof). But does He reaaaaallly mean it, especially on a day when I've really made a mess of things?

I mean, He did get awfully mad at those Israelites over some of their behavior. Actually, I'm glad He was angry that they were sacrificing their children on altars, oppressing the poor and widows, having sex with their own mothers (think about it, if that wasn't an issue, there probably wouldn't have been a prohibition regarding it in Leviticus. That would make your kid also your brother? That's weird even for "Days of Our Lives.").

Nonetheless, the wrath of God is scary. So how do I know that He is, in fact, pleased with me, and that Jesus's sacrifice really is enough to cover my sins?

Check the [Biblical] tail - God's word. It takes the guesswork out of it! And, like Squirrel's tail, it is consistent with the truth. I know Squirrel only tucks his tail when he is afraid; he doesn't do it to play games with my mind. If the Bible says something is true, then we can believe it. It's not trying to mess with us or make us fail.

So when Romans tells us God has given us right standing with himself...I can believe the tail's tale.