THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH
The picture of the earthrise snapped 50 years ago became the most reproduced picture ever taken. On Christmas Eve in 1968, the crew of Apollo 8, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders became the first men to orbit the moon. During their 8thorbit, they recorded the amazing sight of the blue earth rising on the lunar horizon. The picture became very influential because it was the first view of the earth from outside the earth. Often the best perspective is from outside. And this unique view showed the earth as a blue ball hung in space, vulnerable and fragile. This picture more than anything else helped start the environmental conservation movement as it was incumbent on man to do all he could to preserve this world of his. However, it also opened our eyes to the fact that there could be innumerable factors beyond our control that could in an instant, wreck the world we call home.
It is real that such a viewpoint of the earth can induce desperation. However, the Bible portrays a quiet confidence about our universe. That confidence is consequent to the fact that while science struggles with the origins and the controls of the universe, the Bible does not. We know by faith that God created the universe.
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place.(Proverbs 3:19)
It is not hard to infer from what we experience here on earth, that there is a large component of life that is hidden from the physical senses. The Bible makes it clear that this spiritual realm where God exists and works in, controls and directs the physical realm, which is seen. The earth needs to be seen as having spiritual foundations that were set in place by God when he created it. Therefore a person who believes in God sees not an earth hanging helplessly in space, but one supported by the foundations that God set in place.
God has not just created the world but He also sustains it.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? (Isaiah 40:12)
The world we live in is not infinite. It will end one day as described in the Bible. Man has systematically undermined the spiritual foundations of the earth over time, because he has chosen a life of sin. But the Bible also makes it clear that it won’t be random accident that will bring the end to pass but the divine plan of God, when He has accomplished His purposes through mankind. And so while the believer does know that the end will arrive, he lives in the quiet confidence that the end will be in God’s time. Not so the man who does not believe- for him every moment is one of trepidation over what cannot be seen and controlled.
As the spectacular earthrise came into view, to be beheld by a global audience of 1billion people, Anders began reading from Genesis 1, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth, ————”
The earthrise induced celebration and worship in some, helplessness and desperation in others, and God made the difference.
3 thoughts on “THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH”
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As a student, I realize that it is futile to control every little detail. As was mentioned in the article, we don’t need to live in “trepidation over what cannot be seen and controlled”. Faith in God and his plan for our lives is the best way to feel secure about the future.
Many scientists are debating on how the universe came to be, but they do not want to accept the fact that God was the reason everything came to be. As believers, we should have no doubt that God was the creator of everything.
It is always important to be aware of what God has given and provided to us. He created us to take care of his creations and to follow his holy name. Being aware of this fact allows us to be more thankful for everything we have and also reminds us of the importance to care for the creations of God.