Some years ago, my husband’s small niece drowned and one of the many things which distressed her (non-believing) parents was that they didn’t know the exact time she had died (they had searched for some time before she was found on the bottom of the pool). They too were comforted a little when I explained that although we didn’t know, God did. That He is in control.

And for what it’s worth, I think Bobby (and all the pets we love) do go to heaven, not in their own right, but because we are promised that in heaven there are all good things, and pets are one of the very good things in our lives.

Dear Larry - your post is brilliant! I recommend our readers to check it out.

Hi Elly - I’d suggest that in the immediate context of the Psalm, David is speaking of God’s care for his people and his entire creation, especially as he provides protection from the plots of the wicked. The Psalms do sometimes have “life after death” on view (e.g. Psalm 16:9-11), but I’m not sure if you could build anything about animals in heaven on this verse alone.

Yes, a dilemna for young kids and adults too I guess. For we do become attached to our pets, especially those who have been a very special part of the family/ much loved etc.
And I remember when teaching, I could never belittle a student who wanted to pray about their pet, or their grief over a much loved pet’s death.
How could I turn that genuine need (ie, to pray) down?
Paul.

Hi Glenn, great to hear from you! A question like, “What is God doing in the world?” always has a context. Do you have any specific situations in mind where a person has genuinely asked this question?