Respect Creation 

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished.”
Jeremiah 12:4 (NIVUK)

Humanity’s destruction of natural habitats is not a new thing. History abounds with stories of how once-abundant species of wildlife have dwindled in number or have become extinct.

Jeremiah refers to a drought that affected the animals and the birds in Judah. The problem seems to have been related to the fact that the wicked dwelt in the land. Was it desertification due to the careless cutting down of trees for wood building projects? We don’t know the whole story but it appears that the people of Judah cared little for the environment and for how their lifestyles and choices affected the land and the creation around them.

Recently there was much excitement about the discovery of a beautiful new species of bird in Mexico – the blue-winged Amazon parrot. Sadly, no sooner had this bird been registered as a new species than it was listed as possibly facing extinction due to human intrusions into its unprotected forest habitat. There are so many similar accounts that we could mention.

It seems that we have not learnt much from history. Just as it was in Jeremiah’s time, when he noted that the animals and birds had perished because of what humanity had done, so it continues today.

What a beautiful world, as Louis Armstrong sang, but some of that beauty is disappearing fast.

Let’s appreciate creation, and respect it more.

Prayer
Great eternal Creator, Father, thank you for the wonder of creation, and forgive us please that we have not valued it enough. Help us to respect it more. In Jesus’ name.
Amen

Study by James Henderson

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About the Author:
James Henderson is the National Ministry Leader for Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland. This week James is speaking in our Newcastle and Glasgow congregations.

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