Two Kingdoms

Not far from where we live is a beautiful cattle ranch. Rolling green pastures with views of mountains in the near distance. Shade trees are grouped conveniently for the cattle to find shelter from sun or rain. In the photo you can see the cattle gathered at the clean, new feeding station where treats complement their grass diet. A fresh running stream runs through the pasture providing the cattle with a clean water source. I looked at the farm... looked at the happy cows and thought .. yes.. they have a wonderful life !

But....

Adjoining this ranch is another farm! This farm too has the same views , the same potential the cattle next door enjoy, but there the similarity ends.

This cattle farm is a feed lot, the feeding stations old and hardly adequate. There is no grass, and the watering hole and surrounding area is mud. I felt sorry for these cattle .. I wondered how often they looked longingly over to the neighbouring farm and envied the cows that had the 'greener grass on the other side of the fence'. But there was no way for them to cross over, they were locked into a dreary existence day after day in crowded conditions awaiting their end.

The contrast between these two farms was startling. Surely if the cows had been given a choice the barren farm would have been deserted.

Perhaps cattle are wiser than men.

I thought about how these two farms picture for us the two choices that lay before every man.

Unlike the cattle, we DO have a choice.
There lies before every one of us the choice of two kingdoms... they lie side-by-side but there the similarity ends.

One is lorded over by Satan...... the other is Shepherded by Lord Jesus.

Satan rules with hatred, spreading deception, confusion and fear. His laws are cruel and enforced with hatred. His goal and purpose is to destroy the lives of his subjects. He has no compassion for their vulnerability or pain. In fact he rejoices in it. He holds his 'children' in bondage and leads them to eternal death.

Jesus' kingdom is ruled by righteousness, goodness and peace. He knows and cares for the needs of every one of His citizens. He is their protector and guide. His laws speak truth, and comfort and correction. He is the Good Shepherd who watches over his sheep with love, guiding them to life eternal.

"They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,

to make known to the sons of men His might acts

and the glorious majesty of His kingdom,

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord upholds all who fall

and raises up all those who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

and You give them their food in due season.

You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing....

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works"

(Psalm 145:13-16 NKJV)

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