DVBring Forth Grass, Herbs, and TreesThen God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. —Genesis 1:11Lord, I thank You for all the benefits You have freely provided through the plants You created, including such basic necessities as food and oxygen. I will always praise You and depend on You, for You are the Sustainer of all life.
As the account of the Creation unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that God intended to make the planet Earth a dwelling place for man and that the Creation is for the benefit of man. In the first two days of Creation, the LORD made Day and Night and created the atmosphere. Now, on the third day, having gathered the waters to form dry land, the LORD God creates the first life forms on earth—plants. God Himself declares the purpose of creating plants to the first man and woman:
See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food. (Genesis 1:29-30)Plants are vital to life on Earth. Through a process called photosynthesis, green plants transform solar energy into carbohydrates, a form of organic chemical energy. Thus, green plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbs, are the first in all food chains and give other life forms on earth the energy they need. They are also the primary food source for man. More than half of the world’s population depends on the grasses rice, corn (maize), and wheat as their primary source of food. The delicious fruits we enjoy everyday are also the products of plants.
Not only so, we all depend on green plants for oxygen, a by-product of photosynthesis. Besides these indispensable benefits, plants also "conserve other natural resources by protecting soils from erosion, by controlling water levels and quality, and by producing a favourable (sic) atmosphere" ["Plant," Encylopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/4/0,5716,115114+2+108554,00.html].
God’s marvelous provision of plants for sustaining life on Earth is yet another display of His infinite wisdom. From the tiny duckweed to the giant sequoia, every plant is a miracle of God. More importantly, plants testify to His loving kindness and unfailing mercy for all human beings. The next time you savor your freshly toasted bread or steaming rice, or when you bite into a crunchy apple or a piece of juicy watermelon, be sure to acknowledge your Creator, who has provided all things for your sustenance and enjoyment.