A generation is going, and a generation is coming, but the earth remains forever.” Ecc 1:4 To the ancient Bible writer, the fleeting nature of man stood in sharp contrast with the permanence of the earth. Indeed, for thousands of years, generations have come and gone, and yet the planet Earth has proved to be remarkably resilient and stable in its ability to host life—until now. The years since World War II have been dubbed by some as the Great Acceleration. In a single lifetime, people have seen remarkable advances in transportation, communication, and other technologies, which have brought unprecedented economic changes. Many enjoy a standard of living once thought impossible. In the meantime, the earth’s population has nearly tripled. All of this, however, has not come without cost. Human activities are said to be pushing the earth beyond its natural cycles. Humans are making an increasingly notable impact on the planet. The Bible foretold a time when man would ‘ruin the earth.’ (Revelation 11:18) Some wonder if we are living in such a time. So, we might ask: How much further damage will be done? Is there a point of no return? Sadly, one ecologist frankly acknowledged: “In a sense, we don’t have any clue how to manage the planet successfully.” The situation very much fits the Bible’s assessment: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23. On the other hand, the Bible assures us that God, the Creator, will not allow man to bankrupt the planet environmentally. At Psalm 115:16, we read: “The earth [God] has given to the sons of men.” Yes, our planet is a “good gift” from our heavenly Father. (James 1:17) Would we expect God’s gift to be temporary in nature, as though it came with an expiration date? Of course not! “the One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.” (Isaiah 45:18)
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:06:32 +0000
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