Genesis 8:22 – As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. (NIV)

One of the first songs that I ever learned in Sunday school was an old spiritual called "Who built the ark?" It tells the story of the animals going into the ark in different numbers, and the fun part of the song came in the motions that our class would make to imitate the different animals. It was a great way to learn the story. Later on, my own kids were taught about Noah the same way, using a different song called "Arky, Arky".

Noah and the ark is a great biblical story to tell to children because it allows them to use their wonderful imaginations and learn about God's love for all creatures. As adults, however, the story has different implications about good and evil, punishment and wrath, promises and hope.

Today's highlighted verse from the story reminds us that as long as the earth endures, the seasonal cycles will continue. However, I believe that it also places the responsibility of good stewardship of the earth on human beings not to destroy, pollute, or contaminate it, as we are reminded on this Earth Day. After the flood, God handed back the world to human beings like Noah, in words reminiscent of His charge to Adam and Eve:

Genesis 9:1b-2 – Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. (NIV)

It's now up to us to preserve the planet.

Points to ponder: What am I doing to keep the environment clean? How does it relate to my faith?

Prayer: Creator God, You gave us this beautiful planet, and You wanted us to take care of it. Help us to do whatever we can to keep the earth, its creatures, and its environment healthy and safe. In Your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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