Talking plants? Recent studies have shown that plants can communicate through airborne chemicals and underground networks of fungi. They can even warn neighboring plants about dangers in their environment. And we’ve gone millennia without knowing this!
One thing we have known is that plants need the sun to grow. Through photosynthesis, they use sunlight to create energy. But the creation account curiously states that plants were created before the sun (Genesis 1:11). How could this be?
A skeptical mind might jump to the conclusion that because the ancient Israelites did not understand biology, they didn’t understand that plants needed sunlight. But even though they might not have understood the concept of photosynthesis, the Israelites did grow crops and were acutely aware that their crops needed the sun to survive. So how can we understand this seemingly obvious mistake?
For the Israelites, the truest source of life wasn’t the sun (Genesis 1:16). Yes, they knew that sunlight was vital to plant life, but they also knew that an even more important source of life existed: Yahweh. The book of Revelation also reinforces this idea. When Christ comes again to establish His kingdom, there will be no need for a sun “for the Lord God will shine on them” (Revelation 22:5).
Although this might seem like nothing more than an interesting biblical insight, it’s an important reminder for us to always remember who’s the first and true source of all life and blessings. It’s not our job, money, education, or intellect. All the blessings that we enjoy flow from our Creator: “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens” (James 1:17).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 3:1-21
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 to see how Paul describes God’s role as the source of all things, including life itself.
Next:
What do you sometimes believe is more responsible for your blessings than God? How can we better remember that every blessing truly comes from Him?
32leaflets on March 20, 2017 at 3:38 am
I find myself continuously fornicating. I go to the Lord and pray for forgiveness but I go back again. I want to stop. With what I’m doing I feel like I’ll go to hell. Someone help me.
weghal52 on March 20, 2017 at 5:41 am
I’m praying for you 32leaflets. I know God is loving and always forgives if we are repentant. It doesn’t mean we don’t sin again. I suggest you pray to God to lead you to someone in your local area than you can talk and council you.
32leaflets on March 20, 2017 at 8:07 am
God bless you friend I appreciate this
32leaflets on March 20, 2017 at 8:07 am
God bless you friend I appreciate this. I would find someone
conmeo on March 20, 2017 at 7:39 am
32learlets, In your cry for help it is clear that the Lord is already helping you and all of us. This is your gift in this. He has begun this work in you to turn and follow His leading. Perhaps finding another believer who can walk with you as an accountability partner will help… I can attest that His Grace comes to many of us through this, one of His strengths, love for each other. We pray the Lord of Love will continue to lead us all in our sinful patterns and practices, forgive us and lead us. Amen The Peace of God be with you.
32leaflets on March 20, 2017 at 8:09 am
Thank you very much. The peace of God be with you too
Gary Shultz on March 20, 2017 at 6:09 am
32leaflets: Yes, you should be very concerned. Admitting your weakness is of some importance; however, surrendering all, all to God and asking Him to do whatever it takes, is a little more radical, I would think you know you need radical. These things are difficult, but of course not to heavy for God. Do you read the word, do you pray, do you think and do what the word says? If not, make the changes you can make and the kind hand of God will help, but please don’t do zero. Don’t set in sin and just cry about it, get doing what God has already told you to do, and stop doing what God has told you not to do. Keep at it. With Wehal52, I will pray God does in your life whatever it takes.
32leaflets on March 20, 2017 at 8:12 am
I really do need that prayer. I dream of teaching his word sometime. Got myself a Bible. Thank you very much
Gary Shultz on March 20, 2017 at 6:24 am
Hi Peter: Is not the creation account a very wonderful and great account of God’s hand moving to make a place and the life to show His power, glory, and most of all His sharing love? I think it difficult to be an active believer and dismiss the creation account. To remove or dismiss this work is to take the foundation from who our God is. Sometimes I think to “take in” this fact of God’s work and our existence is to do what our parents told us to do – go out side and play. We need to examine in body and soul not only what God put here for us and how intricately He made it, but that it reveals God Himself. The James passage you included certainly makes the great statement about our God. Thanks Peter.
goojunta1 on March 20, 2017 at 7:56 am
This is very true. Even the tree sheds its leaves at fall and blossom during spring This does not mean that the tree is dead during fall. The tree is still alive with fallen leaves. Even at the moments, it seems that our leaves are shedding and there seem to be moments of hopelessness, our blessings, and love from God still stay intact. It is just seasonal
gflory on March 20, 2017 at 8:21 am
Makes me wonder how many sins we shed throughout the year to make room for new growth.
jjw2855 on March 20, 2017 at 7:35 pm
There was light before God created Sun light. In Genesis 1: 3 -5 we read,
“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
So, I believe that light which was there before God created the Sun and the moon, was from Himself who is the source of all lights. As mentioned in Revelation 22:5.
Plants can survive without sunlight as long as they have another source of light in the appropriate spectrum, such as an artificial grow light. Plants can only survive in complete darkness for a finite period of time. Generally, plants that are in vegetative phases thrive on blue lights, while plants in flowering phases thrive on red and orange lights. They can survive in darkness for short periods of time using the sugars in the sap.
jjw2855 on March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm
There was light before God created Sunlight. In Genesis 1: 3 -5 we read, “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” So, I believe that light which was there before God created the Sun and the moon, was from Himself who is the source of all lights. As mentioned in Revelation 22:5.
Plants can survive without sunlight as long as they have another source of light in the appropriate spectrum, such as an artificial grow light. Plants can only survive in complete darkness for a finite period of time. Generally, plants that are in vegetative phases thrive on blue lights, while plants in flowering phases thrive on red and orange lights. They can survive in darkness for short periods of time using the sugars in the sap.