The Wonders of God’s Creation
Below the ocean’s surface a dolphin is giving birth to a baby which will be about three-feet long and weigh more than a hundred pounds. Coming up occasionally for air, she will require an hour’s time to bring the little one into the world (or should we say, into the sea?). If this baby would be born headfirst, like most other creatures, it would drown, for it must breathe air. So God has provided that it will be born tail-first, and it won’t need to breathe until the very last minute of birth.
With birth completed the little one will go to the surface for air with its mother’s help. Then she will turn on her side and her baby will have its first meal. About that time another dolphin will make an appearance, looking the baby over carefully. But the mother will not be the least bit worried, because this is an “auntie” that will help in the baby’s training and protection until it matures.
Dolphins (or porpoises) have never been known to purposely hurt any person and are quick to make friends. They love to swim alongside ships and, because they can swim very fast, they frequently go great distances, often swimming in large circles around the ships.
Dolphins are friendly with each other, too, and communicate by means of squeaks, clicks and whistles. When one is injured others stay with it, guiding or pushing it out of danger. Should one of them be unable to rise to the surface for air, others lift it up in an effort to save its life.
These charming creatures spend all their time in the water and have no way of surviving on land. Yet they really are air-breathing mammals. They can stand the high pressures of deep dives, partly by an ability to take more oxygen into their lungs than land animals do. Their bodies are remarkably streamlined for fast movement through the water so they easily catch fish, which is their principal food. The bigger varieties grow up to fifteen-feet long and weigh a half ton or more; but the Bottlenose variety, commonly seen in aquariums and performing in water shows, are closer to six-feet long and weigh about 250 pounds.
How wonderful it is that God has populated the world with so many interesting beings, all of whom are dependent on Him for life. It is truly said: “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalms 145:15,1615The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15‑16). Have you ever thanked the Lord for His kindness in providing for you?
In the same Psalm we are told: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.” (vv. 18, 19). This is His invitation to us to call on Him for the salvation of our eternal souls. We may be certain all who call on Him in this way will find Him a sure and loving Saviour. Have you made that personal call to Him?
ML-12/14/1980