No one can ignore the intelligent design in God’s natural realm, for His fingerprints are manifest everywhere. God’s intervention is so evident in each level of creation as we shall see in this lesson. What the animal world does by instinct, mankind does by choice. Those of us who have a heart to appreciate and eyes to see are quick to acknowledge …
WHY GOD’S GLORY IS IN ALL CREATION
AS A BOY GROWING UP ON THE PRAIRIES of South Dakota, I often watched geese as they departed for warmer climates to escape the cold north and icy harshness of the coming winter. It was hard to for me to understand why they were flying in a “V” formation, but I later learned that when the leader would drop back from leading, another would take his place at the point of the “V.” I also learned that in their long journey the formation would appear erratic and disjointed at times. A stricken goose would plummet earthward leaving a gaping hole in the ranks. Responding instantly, two flanking geese would track their fallen comrade and, with agility, drop to his aid. As the main flock would continue its southward migration, the two loyal birds would remain at the side of the wounded brother until he was fully restored to health … or dead.
Amazing! It is the instinctive nature that God has built into them for preservation. Geese cannot articulate their reasons for breakinq ranks at their own peril to station themselves beside a crippled, wounded fellow. But they seem driven by an innate urgency to respond to a companion’s desperate situation. What geese do by instinct, we as members of the Body of Christ ought to do by choice.
One day while driving on a rural road in South Dakota, I saw a pheasant sitting in the middle of the road. With no time to swerve, I drove right over it. Stopping to look back, I assumed the bird was surely dead; to my amazement, however, it was still alive although it remained exactly in the same place. With curiosity I walked back to see if the bird was wounded. No — but under its wings were six or eight little chicks, which the mother hen continued to protect even as I stood observing. Why? It was instinct built into its mothering nature. Yes, it was God’s fingerprints demonstrating His glory in creation.
Some time back, the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle printed a story about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a web of crab traps weighing hundreds of pounds, causing her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line-rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and in her mouth.
When a fisherman spotted her east of the Farallon Islands outside the Golden Gate [in San Francisco], he radioed an environmental group for help. Soon the rescue team arrived and determined the whale was so entrapped the only way to save her would be to dive in and cut the ropes. .. a very dangerous proposition, for one slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.
After working for hours with curved knives they eventually freed her. Immediately when she realized she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time; nudging them by pushing gently around them, she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The man who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye carefully followed him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
Amazing! We know that God has designed mankind with a deep need (and desire) to express thankfulness. Was this whale also demonstrating thankfulness in the only way she could? Yes, we are convinced that even animals have this inner need to express thankfulness as well.
It seems to us that the Psalmist is enthralled with God’s handiwork, which not only reveals God’s existence but also demonstrates His glory (satisfaction).
GOD’S WORD DECLARES:
“The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.
The life maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7-8 The Message paraphrase)
YES, WE CAN ENTER INTO HIS BURDEN: One look at the final chapters of the book of Revelation reveals that all creation will spend the coming ages in thanksgiving, praise and worship. Since this is our heavenly calling, it is imperative that we be prepared and that we help others become prepared for life’s ULTIMATE OCCUPATION — WORSHIP!!
• Prayer is the soul’s occupation with its needs.
• Praise is the soul’s occupation with its blessings.
• Worship is the soul’s occupation with its God.
WE PAUSE FOR WORSHIP: Father, we have just discovered that You will be sponsoring a great celebration to which we are invited. According to Scripture, those allied with the Lamb of God will join with the heavenly choir in shouting, “Hallelujah!” How glorious that the voices of many redeemed will extol Your salvation, glory and Power.
The God who at times has sovereignly intervened will now be INTERVENING FOREVER AND FOREVER. AMEN!
DeVern Fromke, Why God Intervenes (Sure Foundation, 2008), 85-88. Used by permission. One of twenty chapters in this volume that is one of the Sharper Focus Series. Available at www.Fromke.com
Editorial note: The good examples of nature illustrate the goodness and wisdom of our Creator. But skeptics have pointed to negative examples, such as the behavior of predatory animals— nature as “red in tooth and claw,” that is, characterized by savage violence or merciless competition. However Dr. Gregory Boyd argues convincingly that all examples of natural evil in the animal kingdom are the result of the fall (Gen. 3). “It was at this point that the laws of nature became twisted and animals became preditorial.” (Gregory A. Boyd, Satan and the Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy, p. 312). Also, examples of natural evil can illustrate the sinister qualities of Satan and sin. The Devil is compared to a ravenous lion (1 Pet. 5:8) and a deadly serpent (Luke 10:19; Rev. 12:9,15; 20:2).
Thankfully, this curse on nature will be removed in the future Messianic Kingdom, after the Second Advent. “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:19-23)
For more illustrations of God’s design and beauty in nature, see TheJohn1010Project.com – JBW