October 1 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 11–13; Ephesians 4

Elegant Design

God said . . . “Let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” Genesis 1:20

READ Genesis 1:14–23

An international research team has created a flapping-wing drone that mimics the movements of a particular bird—the swift. Swifts can fly up to ninety miles per hour and are able to hover, plunge, turn quickly and stop suddenly. The ornithopter drone, however, is still inferior to the bird. One researcher said birds “have multiple sets of muscles which enable them to fly incredibly fast, fold their wings, twist, open feather slots and save energy”. He admitted that his team’s efforts were still only able to replicate about “10 percent of biological flight”.

God has given the creatures in our world all kinds of amazing abilities. Observing them and reflecting on their know-how can be a source of wisdom for us. The ants teach us about gathering resources, badgers show us the value of dependable shelter and locusts teach us there’s strength in numbers (Proverbs 30:25–27).

The Bible tells us that “[God] founded the world by his wisdom” (Jeremiah 10:12), and at the end of each step in the creation process, He confirmed that what He’d done was “good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). The same God who created birds to “fly above the earth across the vault of the sky” (v. 20), has given us the ability to combine His wisdom with our own reasoning. Today, consider how you might learn from His elegant designs in the natural world.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

What part of God’s creation do you admire the most? How does it speak to you about God’s wisdom?

Dear Father, open my eyes to Your wisdom as I consider Your creation.

For further study, read Get Outside: Knowing God Through His Creation.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Genesis 1 describes the activity of God the Father (v. 1) and the Holy Spirit (v. 2) in the creation event. The New Testament makes it clear, however, that the second person of the Godhead—Jesus Christ—was also actively involved in bringing the universe into existence. John 1:3 tells us, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Colossians 1:16 adds, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” And Jesus even now sustains the universe He created (v. 17)!