Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God, who covers the heavens
with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains. Psalm
147:7, 8, NKJV.
Many teach that matter possesses vital power. They hold that certain properties are imparted to
matter, and it is then left to act through its own inherent power; and that the operations of nature are
carried on in harmony with fixed laws that God Himself cannot interfere with. This is false science,
and is sustained by nothing in the Word of God.
Nature is not self-acting; it is the servant of its Creator. God does not annul His laws nor work
contrary to them; but He is continually using them as His instruments. Nature testifies of an
intelligence, a presence, an active agency, that works in, and through, and above its laws. There is in
nature the continual working of the Father and the Son. Said Christ, “My Father worketh hitherto,
and I work.”
God has finished His creative work, but His energy is still exerted in upholding the objects of His
creation. It is not because the mechanism that has once been set in motion continues its work by its
own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath follows breath; but every breath, every
pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the all-pervading care of Him in whom we live and have our
being.
It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces its bounties and continues its
motion around the sun. The hand of God guides the planets, and keeps them in position in their
orderly march through the heavens. It is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the
leaves appear and the flowers bloom. His word controls the elements, and by Him the valleys are
made fruitful. He covers the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain for the earth; He “maketh grass
to grow upon the mountains.” “He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.”
“When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the
vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the
wind out of his treasures.” …