APP: It’s hard to believe that environmental crises actually started way back at the beginning of human history. Adam and Eve—the first man and woman—lived in an amazing paradise. The Garden of Eden was like heaven on earth. Everything was perfect. And Adam and Eve would have lived there forever had they not disobeyed God. But they were deceived by Satan, who disguised himself as a serpent and convinced them that their way was better than God’s.
Adam and Eve’s choice to disobey God affected all of creation, including the environment. Previous generations didn’t think anything about “small choices” they made environmentally, like dumping garbage into a stream and polluting it. Now we know that just small amounts of garbage in a large quantity of water can be hazardous to human health. That’s why it’s so important that we learn choices have consequences; and often our consequences affect other people and future generations. We all have to do our part in “going green” and protecting the environment. The Bible provides us with the “why” and even some specific things we can do to make a difference. We have to make up our minds if we think it’s worth the time and effort. Then we can do what God asks us to do.
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
PSALM 24:1–2 NIV
He [God] makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the feld; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth.
PSALM 104:10–14 NIV
How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small.
PSALM 104:24–25 NIV
“Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God! Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds? Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?”
JOB 37:14–16 NLT