Greater Bilby

The he greater bilby is a marsupial (a mammal such as a kangaroo, with the female having a pouch for carrying the young). It has rabbit-like ears, silky gray fur, and a narrow, pointy nose that’s pink at the end. Like a rabbit, it moves each pair of legs together, though it doesn’t really hop.

Bilbies live in shrubs and grasslands, digging spiral tunnels that lead to deep burrows. This is where they spend the hot day. Their sharp sense of smell helps them find insects, other small creatures, and vegetation to eat. They clean themselves by using their long hind claws as a comb.

The female’s pouch is upside down. That way it doesn’t fill with dirt when she digs. Inside the pouch each of her babies attaches to a nipple until it can manage on its own.

Few bilbies are around today, because cattle and sheep raised for meat and wool claim their habitat. They trample the ground and eat the plants.

Our habitats will change, too. Jesus said, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” Someday we may no longer have the opportunity to study God’s Word and worship freely. Then the Bible texts we’ve memorized will become priceless, for they can’t be taken away from us. And God has promised to guide us through those difficult times and take us home to heaven.

TALK BACK: What texts have you memorized that might encourage you in hard times?