We are ending this brief review of some of the wonders in the world around us with an appeal. We have looked at a range of topics from the plant and animal world, each of which points to intelligence rather than natural selection as the explanation of its existence. There is an endless supply of similar examples, each just as powerful as those we have described. We could look at the echo-sounding of the whale; the fly trap of the cuckoo pint; the parachute of the dandelion; or the hatching of a chicken from an egg. We could question the origins of the bile duct, or human heart valves, or hormone control of reproduction.
Wherever we look, we are surrounded by living miracles. Why is it then that the theory of evolution is so widely accepted, and those who believe in Creation are despised?
In the Book of Exodus the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt as the result of a series of plagues or calamities that ruined Egypt’s economy. In each case, the plagues started when the aged Moses held out the rod of God, and the power of the Lord fell at once from heaven.
Frogs filled the Egyptians’ houses, lice tickled their scalps, lightning and hail lacerated their corn. At first, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to imitate Moses’ miracles with their tricks, but eventually they were outperformed, and informed their royal master, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). But despite the evidence of his eyes, Pharaoh was not convinced. “His heart was hardened”, says the record, “and he would not listen to them”.
It is quite possible for people to see miracles and be unimpressed. In the New Testament, John describes in detail seven great miracles that Jesus performed. He calls them “Signs”. Yet at the end of Jesus’ ministry he records, “though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him” ( John 12:37). We only believe what we want to believe. To accept that the world came into existence by the word of God means that we are not masters of our own destiny, but subject to His laws and plans.
Rebellious as Pharaoh, we cling to the notion that because we cannot see God, He cannot exist, even while the evidence of His handiwork is staring us in the face.
And somehow, the more educated men are, the harder they find it to humble themselves before a divine Creator. Th e Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, “consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1Corinthians 1:26). It is not that believers are gullible. Rather the pride of the learned hinders them from perceiving the truth.
Jesus spent much of his ministry battling with the Scribes, Jewish lawyers with minds as sharp as razors. These men could sit round in a circle and watch Jesus restore the withered hand of a cripple, then instantly dismiss Jesus as an impostor because he healed men on the Sabbath day! It was from such hard-faced unbelievers that Jesus turned with relief to little children: “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
He did not mean that no grown-ups will enter the kingdom of God. He meant that the simplicity and unquestioning love of the children who came to him as their friend, without doubt or reservations, was the hallmark of those, young and old, who will inherit God’s kingdom.
When we are very small we never question our parents’ wisdom or doubt their word. Such cynicism only develops as we grow older. God seeks for His kingdom people who are prepared to put their hand in His, marvelling at His greatness and confident in His love. He can lead people like that all the way to eternity.
Standing in the open air lecture theatre of Athens, the city of philosophers and wise men, the Apostle Paul once spoke of the God he worshipped, the God who made everything, including all the nations of men. And why had He made them? “That they should seek God”, he said, “in the hope that they might feel after him and fi nd him. Yet he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).
God created us so that we could seek Him. He does not force Himself upon us. He leaves us to live our lives by faith, in hope of His kingdom. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists”, scripture says in another place, “and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
So please, do not listen unquestioningly to the voice of the ‘experts’. The Bible is not a collection of fables. It is the only record God has given us of His great work “in the beginning”, and of the day He has planned, when the beauty and perfection of that Creation, marred now by the crimes and greed of man, will be restored. At this time Jesus and his immortal followers will rule the world, and what God wants will be done on earth, as it is now in heaven:
“Behold; I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).