Destruction from Space?

Luke 21:27-28
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

We hear many claims that all life on Earth could someday be wiped out in a catastrophic collision with a giant asteroid.

According to Arthur Humphrey, immediate past president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the NASA simulation of Asteroid 2012Earth has just missed several catastrophic collisions with asteroids in recent times. He said that in 1989 and 1991, two asteroids missed the Earth by only a few hundred thousand miles. Humphrey estimates that there are about 11,000 large asteroids that cross our orbit.

He suggests that scientists map all the asteroids that cross Earth orbit, giving us a chance to divert any that might threaten the Earth. The estimated cost of the project is $20 million.

The world is a terrifying place to those who think that our future lies in the hands of chance. But consider the design of our solar system. The Earth is just at the right distance from the sun for us. If we were one percent closer or farther, there would be no life on Earth. Our sun is a remarkably stable star. If it were like many stars, its energy could fry us one day and leave us to freeze the next. These remarkable relationships are not a product of chance. They are the evidence of our Creator’s loving design. And He has told us that human beings will be on Earth to greet Him when He returns.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I trust Your constant and loving provision and protection. Help me to see that when I am filled with the fear of some danger in the creation, I have been seduced by the pagan belief in chance that surrounds me. Forgive me for my fear, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Notes:
Arthur E. Humphrey. 1991. “The Squeaky Wheel.” AICHE. Dec., p. 12. K. M. Reese. 1992. “The Hazard of Asteroids.” C & EN, Feb. 3, p. 68. Photo: NASA simulation of Asteroid 2012 DA 14 as it heads toward Earth. The close-call occurred 2/15/13.