Icebergs melting. Global temperatures soaring. Yet more species endangered. The ongoing effects of climate change are unmistakeable. Sir David Attenborough warns that “even the most considerate of us” mustn’t forget our responsibilities. The Bible agrees: we are God’s handiwork, created in His image to care for the world He has made (Genesis 1:26).
However, the respected broadcaster then adds, “Let us realise that we are intruders, [and] the natural world, by-and-large, would do much better if we weren’t there at all.”
Experts are seeing the end of the world coming closer—and they are afraid. Voices blame and shame us, demanding that we fix the problem. We must be responsible and conscientious, of course, but the destiny of this planet isn’t actually in our hands but God’s.
This world’s days were numbered the moment sin and death entered it. The apostle Peter wrote of the coming “day of the Lord” when “the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10).
Knowing this day approaches shouldn’t stop us caring for our temporary home. But we also look forward “to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (v. 13). God longs to give us a true home with Him. As conversations around climate change continue, we can trust His plan: He will remove what is broken to usher in an eternal kingdom, untainted by sin.
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
How do the conversations around climate change make you feel? What can you do to keep entrusting your future—and the world’s—to God?
Dear Father, thank You for Your promise to bring forth a new heaven and earth for Your people. Help me to remind myself constantly of this and to keep my hope in You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Peter wrote both of his letters (see 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1) to Christians in “the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (roughly modern Turkey). In his second letter, he warns the believers to be on guard against false teachers (3:17). To ensure they’re not easily persuaded, they must “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 18). To know Jesus intimately is the clarion call of true discipleship and the end goal of every believer ( John 17:3; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 2:2). Peter says we’ve received “everything we need for living a godly life . . . by coming to know him” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).
K. T. Sim
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