Bacteria are a tiny form of life. Some are so small that 50,000 lined up in a row would cover only one inch. Yet they are a very important part of God’s creation, and without them life as we know it could not exist. They are present in water and air, and a teaspoonful of garden soil contains billions of them.
Just what do they do?
One main purpose is to break down other materials. Bacteria take chemicals from these materials and change them into forms that can be used by other living organisms. For instance, gardeners often make “compost piles” of grass clippings, leaves, kitchen garbage, weeds and other plant material, sometimes adding dirt and manure. Bacteria attack these materials, and the process of breaking them down generates heat. Different kinds of bacteria work this material over and over and, helped by the heat, change most of it into rich, soft humus. When added to gardens, this humus helps to produce fine crops.
Other kinds of bacteria convert material into ammonia which is picked up by the roots of plants. Some bacteria change materials to carbon dioxide which is released into the air for use by plants and trees. Still other bacteria are used to make butter, cheese, vinegar, yogurt and many other food products.
Did you know that you have many billions of bacteria inside your body? Most of the body’s bacteria are helpful and necessary to maintain life -one of the most important functions being the digestion of food. Without them much of the food you eat could not be used by your body.
But some of the body’s bacteria are harmful, causing sickness and disease. Some harmful bacteria live on your teeth and others on your skin when they are not carefully cleaned. Cavities in your teeth are caused by bacteria, and when you cut yourself, those on your skin can cause infection or blood poisoning.
This makes us think of Satan, a greater enemy, who does great harm to us when we are careless about our manner of life. The Bible tells us that he, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)). When this evil one comes to us with his temptations, we should immediately turn to God and pray, just as King David did: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:1010Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)). He can deliver us out of any temptation.
Isn’t it wonderful how God has created such a tiny form of life to do such a big job? “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:2727But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)). Do you know our Creator as your God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour?
DECEMBER 22, 1996
ML-12/22/1996