“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” Job 38:4

It must’ve been a beautiful place – a world covered with a canopy of moisture where everything was watered perfectly by the hand of God. Once the first living humans sinned, the paradise became deeply flawed.  Even though destruction eventually came from the Great Flood, bluffs, canyons and valleys were being carved into it by His finger – beautiful places for us to marvel at even today.

Destruction and change in our world’s outward appearance has been a slow and steady process – most of it caused by man and his neglect of caring for it – but God has changed things too, for the better.  He always makes something good out of something bad.  We can count on it.

As many noble speeches and observations in regard to “Earth Day” go on around the country today, let’s remember who created this amazing universe.  Instead of being aware of our responsibility for caring for it for just one day, it should be an ongoing thing. God placed man in charge of His paradise – to tend and to work it – but it still belongs to Him.  He has the ability to blow the smog we create into oblivion.  He can calm the angry seas.  He can bring water to a raging forest fire.  He can use that same fire to clean out an overgrown habitat.  He is still in control of everything that happens to it. Let us also remember that God gave man dominion over His creation. Because of that, it is our obligation to care for it.

God created the earth and all its inhabitants. He provides nourishment and a beautiful habitat, with the heat of the sun to warm them during the day and the cool of the night to refresh and restore them.  When we get involved in the natural order of things, we’re trying to control what only God can do.

Dear, Creator God, as the world celebrates the earth you have created, let us never forget that you are ultimately watching over it.  You are the one that can also destroy it completely in an instant.  May we honor our obligation to take care of it, but also trust in you for your unfailing love for us and your creation.  Amen!