Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:20-21, 24-25
Do you give strength to the horse? Do you adorn his neck with a mane? Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread its wings to the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make its nest on high? Job 39:19-20, 26-27
My words…
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise
Lord, Your boundless creative might flowed across the sky, rivers, oceans, deserts, forests and plains and produced creatures that fly, swim, crawl, and run. Not just skin, but scales, feathers, and fur. Not just hands, but paws, talons, and fins. I have two eyes, but the giant clam of the South Pacific has thousands! The tiny wax moth can hear 150 times greater than I. In order to beat a cheetah in a race, I would have to get in my car and drive 62 miles per hour on an open road. What creatures! What a creator! My knowledge of your creatures is so limited: I could study them the rest of my life and not learn a fraction of what is to be known. Yet You hear the song of each bird and know the lyrics. You know exactly what each elephant remembers. You know why the wolf howls. You give strength to the horse and adorn his neck with a mane. You understand the flight of the hawk, and command the eagle to soar. You, oh God, receive the praise of your creation: the dolphin’s whistle, the lion’s roar, the falcon’s screech – all of Your creatures know their creator and worship You! What a symphony of praise You must hear every day! Thank You – thank You, Lord – for the endless variety of creatures, each proclaiming Your creative majesty.
