The oceans cover about three-fourths of the world’s surface. Although God created billions of stars and planets, none except the earth, as far as we know, has more than a trace of water on it. This is understandable, for He had special purposes in mind when the earth was made. “He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:1818For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:18)). The abundance of water found on the earth is essential to the preservation of every form of life He placed here.
Without the oceans, great extremes of temperature would make life impossible, since it is the action of the oceans that makes up for the uneven heating of the sun. The earth receives the greatest amount of heat at the equator. North or south of the equator the heat becomes less and less so that the North and South Poles are very cold. But between the equator and these icy places millions of people make their homes and are busy with life’s activities, with plant and animal life about them. This would not be possible if it were not for the oceans’ effect on the climate.
As the sun heats the waters near the equator they expand, creating currents which move to the north and south. These currents travel thousands of miles and carry the heated water on their surfaces (because warm water rises). This, in turn, causes the cold water they meet to drop below (cold water falls) and flow in the opposite direction, back toward the equator where they in turn are warmed, and the process is repeated.
Warm ocean waters are a large reservoir of heat that have a great influence on air temperatures. Great amounts of heat are stored in these sun-heated waters. This heat is not lost through radiation as fast as it is from land. That is why the air above the oceans is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the air above land.
Solomon wrote: “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again” (Ecclesiastes 1:77All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. (Ecclesiastes 1:7)). His observation was true. The flow of waters into the oceans is balanced by evaporation, and the seas never overflow! Only a divine Creator could so delicately control these great actions so that they are always in balance.
It is estimated that in one hour the heat of the sun will raise over 5,000 tons of water from one square mile of ocean. Think of the great amount of vapor that is lifted into the skies when the sun shines on millions of square miles of ocean!
Surely God’s ways are past finding out. Isn’t it wonderful to consider how He made the oceans to contribute to the comforts of His creatures? Have you thought about His ways and purposes for you?
SEPTEMBER 17, 1995
ML-09/17/1995