Learn of God’s Loving Provision

Job 12:7-8
“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.”

A number of species of fish live, apparently comfortably, in Antarctic waters as cold as the freezing temperature of seawater, which is a couple of degrees colder than fresh water. This presents us with several mysteries. First, cold slows down the chemistry necessary for life. At these temperatures, life’s chemistry all but stops. Second, from a creation perspective, how could fish created to live in a perfect, warm, comfortable world be able to live in an environment that makes life seemingly impossible? A team of biologists from Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station have found some remarkable answers to these questions.

The biologists studied an enzyme found in many creatures that changes a compound called pyruvate into lactate within the muscles. In the Antarctic fish this enzyme appears to help this conversion take place at speeds usually only found in warmer creatures. It seems that the cold-water fish have a slight modification of this common enzyme that allows the enzyme to work more quickly, despite the cold. And yes, researchers have also found the same modified version of the enzyme in a South American warm water species. It appears that God’s foreknowledge of what would become of His once perfect world, and His desire to provide for His creatures, led Him to give this special version of this enzyme to creatures of His choosing. If God provides so wisely for fish, will He not provide for you and me, for whom His only Son died?

Prayer:
I thank and praise You, dear Father, for Your love in providing all I need, including a Savior. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
C.Wu., Fish enzyme flexes to adapt to the cold, Science News, v.154, p.183. Photo: Ocellated icefish taken close to the South Shetland Islands. Courtesy of NOAA (PD)