God made great lights, the sun, moon, and stars, on the fourth day. Men have made some wonderful searchlights which will shine for about a hundred miles, and we have many bright lights in our homes, but the sun which God has put in the sky is about 93 million miles away, and yet it lights up the whole world, and makes our electric lights look like nothing. Not only does the sun give light, but its rays are so warm in the summer time, that we are glad to get into the shade to keep cool. We could not live without the sun, for nothing would grow without sunshine.
The moon hasn’t any light of its own, but during the night it reflects like a mirror the light from the sun to that part of the world which is in darkness. It reminds us of how we who are saved should reflect the light of Christ to this world that is dark because of sin. Sometimes the earth comes between, and makes an eclipse of the moon. So we have to be careful that the sinful things of this world don’t come between us and the Lord, and keep us from shining for Him.
The Fifth and Sixth Days of Creation
On the fifth day God made birds to fly in the sky and fish to swim in the sea. Isn’t it wonderful to think of so many different kinds of great and small fishes that swim in the water. The great whales down to the tiny sardines were all created by the word of God. Some of them swim in very deep water, others in shallow brooks. Some are in salt water, others in fresh, but God has given to each one a body suited to where He has placed them. A fish could not live on the dry land, nor could a man live under the water. Then there are all the beautiful birds with their lovely feathers and pretty colors, right down to the sparrow that is so common. Some of them have lovely songs, and others do not sing at all. Often the birds that are not so beautiful to look at have the sweetest song. Not only did God create these wonderful fishes and birds but He sustains them, that is, He keeps them living. “By Him (Christ) all things consist” (Colossians 1:1717And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17)). When we look at all these wonderful creatures, we know that God takes His pleasure in them too.
The sixth day was the last day of creation. Each day was a day of twenty four hours, because God has told us, “The evening and the morning were the sixth day” (verse 31), and each day was the same. On the sixth day God made all kinds of cattle, animals, and creeping things. There were lions, bears, and all other kinds of animals, but they were not wild until after sin came into the world. What a wonderful scene it was, fresh from the hand of God, without a groan or such a thing as fear or death. All that was needed to make creation complete was man, who was to be placed over it all as its head.
Further Meditation
1. How should we who are saved be like the moon?
3. If you love learning about the amazing creatures that God has created, you will probably enjoy The Wonders of God’s Creation by S. R. Gill.