O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions.—Psalm 104:24 (Our Daily Bread)
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Psalm 104:10-24
New International Version (NIV)
10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the junipers.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away;
they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then people go out to their work,
to their labor until evening.
24 How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
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A Flying Miracle
Among God’s creatures, the butterfly is one of the most stunningly
beautiful! Its gentle flight, colorful wings, and amazing migratory
patterns are traits that make the butterfly a masterpiece of the natural
world.
This flying insect, while supplying us with visual enjoyment, also
supplies us with amazing examples of the marvels of God’s creative work.
For instance, the majestic monarch butterfly can travel 3,000 miles
on its migration to Central America—only to end up at the same tree its
parents or even grandparents landed on a generation or two earlier. It
does this guided by a brain the size of a pinhead.
Or consider the monarch’s metamorphosis. After the caterpillar builds
a chrysalis around itself, it releases a chemical that turns its
insides to mush—no perceptible parts. Somehow from this emerges the
brain, internal parts, head, legs, and wings of a butterfly.
One butterfly expert said, “The creation of the body of a caterpillar
into the body and wings of a butterfly is, without doubt, one of the
wonders of life on earth.” Another expert feels that this metamorphosis
is “rightly regarded as a miracle.”
“How manifold are [God’s] works!” (Ps. 104:24)—and the butterfly is but one of them.
We stand amazed, God, at the awesome creation You
allow us to enjoy. From distant galaxies to beautiful
butterflies, You have given us a world that speaks loudly
of Your love for us. Thank You, Lord, for creation.
Creation’s design points to the Master Designer.
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