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Lord I’d Like To Know If Dogs Get To Go

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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**Verse 1** Oh Matthew—he lingered long after the crowd had gone, The Master’s words still ringing in his ears—true and strong. Matthew said, “Lord, forgive me for asking You again, But will the ones we love be in Heaven when eternity begins?” **Chorus** Lord, Your wisdom I cannot know— But I’m just wondering—if all Your creatures will get to see—heaven’s glow? And Lord—Matthew didn’t ask—so forgive me for the question on my mind—But it was You Lord— Who made them—so loyal—so loving—and so kind. I can’t imagine in my mind— Your grace and mercy—would leave them behind— Lord! Will dogs be in Heaven—that’s what—is on my mind. **Verse 2** Lord, forgive me if you think the question is dumb— But there’s a lot we don’t know about Thy Kingdom to come. Yet Lord—I would like to know— If dogs will be in Heaven—when I go. For oh Lord—down here on earth where I live— Far more than most people—and just like You— Dogs sure have a lot of love they give! **Bridge 1** In fact Lord—I know dogs had to come from You— They love so strong—and love fills their eyes, Dogs surely come from Heaven—far above the bluest skies. **Verse 3** Jesus—I wish Matthew had asked one more question for me— But I think—it just has to be— Cause the best friends I ever knew— Are all because of You! And to Matthew—I think Jesus might have answered—“My mercy is greater than you know— A heart that comes from—and believes in me— And like all dogs—love unconditionally—then all dogs—will get to go. For their heart was shaped by my own hand long, long ago— I filled them with My love—just so you know! **Final Bridge** I suspect Heaven’s gates aren’t guarded by Angels alone, All Creation sings God’s glory—all around the throne. “Oh Lord—You created man—You know the evil man has shown— But Lord—the best people I ever got to meet— Have wagging tails—love a lot like you—and walk on four feet! Of all creatures great and small— If Matthew had asked one more question—We’d know—God’s love redeems them all. **Final Chorus** Lord I know—there are lots of questions with answers I should know— Probably more important than if dogs get to go— But if it is ok—I’ll keep asking till my final day— If Your greatest creation outside of man—will be in Heaven as part of Your plan. Cause if having dogs in Heaven hasn’t up till now been what I’ll find in Heaven after my last day— Would it be ok if I picked one up to bring with me along the way? **Tag** Lord You are worthy above all— You are to me most loyal when I fall. Nothing and no one will matter in Heaven as much to me— Than seeing the one who died for me—on Calvary’s tree— Lord—I will worship You in Heaven without end— Standing with all those I love— And if it’s just fine with You— I’ll stand with one of the best You ever created—the one called—man’s best friend!
Ministry Devotional

Lord I’d Like To Know If Dogs Get To Go

Read together: Psalm 145:9, 15–17; Psalm 36:5–7; Romans 8:19–23; Isaiah 11:6–9; Deuteronomy 29:29

Anyone who has ever loved a dog understands this song. The loyal eyes. The wagging tail at the door. The quiet companion who stayed beside you through a hard season without needing a word. And anyone who has ever lost a dog knows the ache behind its question: Lord, will dogs be in heaven?

The song imagines Matthew lingering after the crowd has gone, asking Jesus about the ones we love—and the singer wishing Matthew had asked one more question. It is playful and tender, and it is honest: Lord, forgive me if You think the question is dumb. It isn't. Bringing our real questions to God, even the small ones, is part of trusting Him.

So what does Scripture say? Honestly, the Bible does not directly answer whether the particular pets we love will be with us in eternity. Part of the song imagines an answer from Jesus, and we should be clear that this is the songwriter's hope, not a word recorded in the Gospels. Read Deuteronomy 29:29. "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us." Some questions God has not answered, and we can trust Him with them.

But Scripture does tell us a great deal about God's heart toward His creatures. Read Psalm 145:9, 15–17. "The Lord is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made." The eyes of all look to Him, and He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. Psalm 36:6 even says, "You preserve man and beast, O Lord." God made animals, called them good (Genesis 1:25), and cares for them. Jesus said not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father (Matthew 10:29). The love and loyalty you saw in your dog are, as the song says, gifts that came from His hand.

Scripture also tells us that God's redemption reaches beyond humanity. Read Romans 8:19–23. All creation groans under the curse and waits eagerly to be set free from its bondage to decay. And the prophets picture a renewed world full of animals. Read Isaiah 11:6–9. The wolf lives with the lamb, the leopard lies down with the goat, and a little child leads them. The new creation is not an empty place of disembodied spirits. It is a world restored and teeming with life.

So we can say this much with confidence: the God who made dogs loyal and loving is good to all He has made, and the world to come will be full of His creatures. Whether that includes the very companion you are thinking of, we cannot promise. But we can trust that nothing good will be missing, and no one will be disappointed in the presence of Jesus.

And that is exactly where the song lands. Nothing and no one will matter in heaven as much to me than seeing the One who died for me on Calvary's tree. The best gift of heaven is not even our dearest earthly companions. It is Jesus Himself. If you have trusted Him, you will see Him face to face. If you have not, that is the most important question to settle—more important, as the song admits, than whether dogs get to go.

If you are grieving a pet, your sorrow is real, and God is not indifferent to it. Bring it to Him.

A moment to respond: Read Psalm 145:9–17 and thank God for the animals that have blessed your life. If you are grieving one, tell the Lord what you miss. Then read Romans 8:19–23 and thank Him that His plan is to make all creation new.

Let's pray: Lord, You made every creature, great and small, and Your compassion rests on all You have made. Thank You for the loyal companions You give us. Comfort those who grieve them. We trust You with the questions You have not answered. Most of all, thank You for Jesus, who died for us, and whom we long to see face to face. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would bring every question to God—large or small—and trust Him with the answer, knowing that seeing Jesus will be the greatest joy of all.