Animal Magic

“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small.”
Psalm 104:24-25 (NLT)

Whatever you think of the BBC, one thing that most people will agree that they have done well are the wonderful nature documentaries made by David Attenborough. These programmes show in amazing detail (especially when viewed in high definition) how the planet that God gave us to live on is absolutely bursting with life. Previous generations can only have guessed at what we can now see in all its glory. What amazing creatures we share the planet with! Did you know that there are 3 million different species of insects alone, never mind all the animals, birds and fishes?

What always strikes me when I watch these documentaries is how each species differs in various ways, from mating rituals to colours, sounds and gestures. How long did it take our great God to design and create all of this stunning variety? What imagination and cleverness is displayed at every point. And to think that David Attenborough, an agnostic, believes that all this came about by chance!

Closer to home, we British are well known for our love of animals. Most households have a dog or a cat. We can train dogs to be the eyes for the blind, ears for the deaf and even to take the washing out of the washing machine for disabled people. And all this on top of the love, loyalty and companionship which animals provide. When you stop to think about it, isn’t that amazing? Of course, God gave us dominion over the animal kingdom and, sadly, some have abused that power: elephants are killed for their ivory, and some people will shoot dogs and cats with pellets and arrows for ‘fun’.

Let’s remember that, whilst God created us in his own image, he also created the animal kingdom, living, breathing, creatures worthy of love and respect.  Let’s enjoy these wonderful creatures as God intended us to enjoy them.

Prayer
Father, thank you for all the wonderful creatures you have created for our pleasure. Please help us to respect, love and cherish them as you intended. In Jesus’s name we ask and pray.
Amen 

Study by Chris Burmajster

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About the Author:
Chris Burmajster attends the Reading Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Reading
Prospect School,
6th Form Common Room
Honey End Lane
READING
RG30 4EL

Meeting time:
Saturday 11am

Local Congregational Contact:
John Stettaford
Phone:  01923-241426
Email: pastor@wcg-reading.org.uk