"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:19-20) "But ask now even the beasts - they shall teach it thee; And the birds of heaven - they shall declare it to thee: Or look thoughtfully to the ground - it shall teach it thee; And the fish of the sea shall tell it thee. Who would not recognise in all this That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this, In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?" (Job 12:7-10).
We see wisdom in nature. "How wonderful are all thy works, In wisdom hast thou made them all" (Ps. 104:24). Proofs of divine providence are everywhere. The FLIGHT of birds preceded the invention of the airplane. They seem to have a COMPASS in their heads when they migrate. The chambered nautilus and cuttlefish use FLOTATION TANKS to descend and ascend in the ocean as submarines do today. Octopus and squid employ JET PROPULSION. Bats and dolphins use SONAR. Some reptiles and sea birds are able to DESALINATE sea water. CIANIDE-SHOOTING dragon millipedes; INFRARED VISION of vipers, boas and pythons; 600-volt shock ELECTRIC eels. If the world contains some noxious and poisonous creatures to be instruments of God's justice and vengeance, that also is proof of His existence. But many useful, beautiful, pleasurable, and helpful plants and animals show us his benevolence and kindness. The sheep provides WOOL. The bee provides HONEY. The cow MILK. The vine WINE. The olive OIL. Apples, cherries, plums and figs all grow on FRUIT trees. The earth gives us SALT and COAL and fuel OIL. The sun provides LIGHT and HEAT. In short, nature was designed for man's benefit. Man has done well to copy nature's builders. The hexagonal honeycomb design happens to be the strongest and most efficient structure to store honey with the least wax. Termites AIR-CONDITION their homes with water. The termite mound is a self-cooling building. Ventilation holes allow cool air to pass through while warm air shafts vent up hot air so the building remains cool in the daytime. Hornets, wasps and yellow jackets manufacture PAPER. Glowworms and fireflys generate LIGHT. Microscopic bacteria have ROTARY MOTORS that they can run forward or in reverse. Microscopic plants, insects, fish and trees each employ some kind of "ANTIFREEZE."
"The supreme God holds himself invisible, and it is only in his works that we are capable of admiring him." (Xen. Mem. 4:3)
"God the eternal, the chief ruler of the universe and its creator, the mind alone beholds; but that which is produced we behold by sight." (Plat. Tim Loc. 5)
"I am convinced entirely that that which could effect so many and such great things must be a divine power." (Cic. Disp. Tusc. 1:26)
"Though you see not the Deity, yet by the contemplation of his works, you are led to acknowledge a God." (Ibid. 28)
Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God, the Eternal Who was, is, and shall be Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy There is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love and purity Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty All Thy works shall praise Thy name In earth and sky and sea -- Audrey Assad et al. |
"These be Thy glorious works, Thou Source of Good! How dimly seen, how faintly understood!" The man who "Looks through nature up to nature's God, Pursues that chain which links the immense design; Joins heaven and earth; the mortal and divine" -- Pope How sweet to muse upon his skill displayed (Infinite skill!) in all that He has made; To trace in nature's most minute design The signature and stamp of Power Divine; Contrivance exquisite expressed with ease, Where unassisted sight no beauty sees; The shapely limb and lubricated joint Within the small dimensions of a point: Muscle and nerve miraculously spun, His mighty work who speaks, and it is done: The invisible in things scarce seen revealed; To whom an atom is an ample field. -- Cowper "One science only can one genius fit, So vast is art, so narrow human wit." -- Horace |
"Nature makes nothing in vain." -- Aristotle. In fact, God designed bees to make honey; sheep to make fleeces; and cows to make milk, all for us. "Thus then to man the voice of Nature spake Go, from the creatures thy instructions take The art of building from the bee receive, Learn of the mole to plow; the worm to weave; Learn of the little nautilus to sail, Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale." -- Pope "When I observed the world disposed with art. And mutual laws obeyed by every part; The sea confined within its stated bound. And years revolving dance their constant round ; The exact vicissitudes of night and day: I saw creation own'd the Godhead's sway. That providence bid the stars in order move ; And different fruits a different season love : The sun to rule the day with native light ; The moon with borrowed rays to govern night He girt the main with shores extending far ; And on its axle balanced earth in air." -- Claudian |