Literal Week
95
heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things therein, ... and
Thou preservest them all.”
Nehemiah 9:6
. As regards this world,
God’s work of creation is completed. For “the works were finished
from the foundation of the world.”
Hebrews 4:3
. But His energy is
still exerted in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because
the mechanism that has once been set in motion continues to act by
its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath follows breath;
but every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the
all-pervading care of Him in whom “we live, and move, and have our
being.”
Acts 17:28
. It is not because of inherent power that year by
year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion around
the sun. The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position
in their orderly march through the heavens. He “bringeth out their
host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His
might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.”
Isaiah 40:26
. It
is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear
and the flowers bloom. He “maketh grass to grow upon the mountains”
(
Psalm 147:8
), and by Him the valleys are made fruitful. “All the
beasts of the forest ... seek their meat from God,” and every living
creature, from the smallest insect up to man, is daily dependent upon
His providential care. In the beautiful words of the psalmist, “These
wait all upon Thee.... That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest
Thine hand, they are filled with good.”
Psalm 104:20, 21, 27, 28
. His
word controls the elements; He covers the heavens with clouds and
prepares rain for the earth. “He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth
the hoarfrost like ashes.”
Psalm 147:16
. “When He uttereth His voice,
there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors
to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain,
and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries.”
Jeremiah 10:13
.
God is the foundation of everything. All true science is in harmony
with His works; all true education leads to obedience to His govern-
ment. Science opens new wonders to our view; she soars high, and
explores new depths; but she brings nothing from her research that
conflicts with divine revelation. Ignorance may seek to support false
views of God by appeals to science, but the book of nature and the
written word shed light upon each other. We are thus led to adore the
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Creator and to have an intelligent trust in His word.