Daily Devotional For November 29, 2025
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and everyone was judged according to their works. Rev 20:13.
Buster was a fairly ordinary cat. He was no breed in particular, but he was a delightful combination of the two characteristics that make cats so much fun. On the one hand he was all cat. The mice, chipmunks, squirrels, moles and birds in the area were all intensely aware of his presence whenever he ventured outside. The “mighty hunter” strode through his domain in an air of conscious superiority. On the other hand, when he was with children, he was as gentle and affectionate as if there were not a violent chromosome in his whole genetic makeup. He was greatly loved. And he was never gone from the house for more than twelve hours.
One day he disappeared. There was no trace of him for seventy-two hours. Our worries and fears increased by the hour after the first day or so. After three days, the family gathered for a special prayer session. I can still hear my wife praying, “Lord, even if he is dying somewhere, please bring him back so we can know what happened. Send your angel to carry him back if You have to. We need to know what has happened to him.”
The next morning my wife was having devotions by the front window. She suddenly screamed out, “It’s Buster! It’s Buster! He’s back! He’s in the yard!” We all piled out of the house in various stages of dress and undress to greet the beloved wanderer. There was a large hole in his side, filled with flies and maggots. With both tears and joy we realized that my wife’s prayers had been answered. Buster had come home to say good-bye!
With broken hearts we gently carried him back into the house, and called the vet. When treatment failed, the family went to the animal hospital to say a final good-bye to our brave little sweetheart. When he saw us, he struggled to his feet to greet us, then collapsed back to the floor of his cage, barely able to breathe or open his eyes. We knew that it was over. With loud wailing and two buckets of tears, the five of us expressed our love to him one last time. We walked out of the hospital into sunshine, but the day seemed so dark.
It is comforting to know that death’s days are numbered. One day we will be reunited with our loved ones and separation will forever be a choice instead of something imposed on us. Will Buster be there too? I don’t know. I know that nothing is impossible with God, but I don’t know if little pet personalities will be preserved for eternity. But this I do know. If Buster isn’t there, it is because God has something even better in store for us.
Lord, I long for the day when death “gives up.” Until then, let me cherish every moment of this precious life You have given me.