"Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou host done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward." Psa. 40:5.
In Australia and New Guinea the frilled lizard—30 inches long, including a 10-inch tail—makes its home. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide and fans out flaps of skin around its throat, making it appear much larger than it actually is. At the same time it hisses fiercely, rearing up on its hind legs and thrashing its tail, all of which is scary enough to frighten off almost anything.
Another, the Moloch lizard, lives in dry, hot deserts. It is strange looking—brown and tan, with an upturned snout and horny crest on its head. Its body almost looks as though it's made of grape-size chunks of flesh, poorly glued together. Sharp points, like oversized thorns of a rose bush, extend all along its back to the tip of its long tail. It is one of the many lizards able to change colors to match its surroundings. In the same way as the barking gecko in our preceding article, it collects moisture on its skin, changing fog into water that runs to its mouth in tiny canals to take care of its thirst.
Male agamas, African residents, are unusually colorful, having so many variations of brilliant red, blue, green and yellow that they almost look hand-painted. The female is not so spectacular in her olive-green color, but she does have bright red spots on her sides. These lizards come boldly into houses, dashing on their long legs after insects or squatting on a piece of furniture, heads bobbing up and down as though agreeing with everything being said.
Why are there so many lizards and why did the Creator make them? Well, we find a partial answer in the Bible, telling us that in His wonderful creation it was not His purpose merely to have a beautiful globe spinning through space, but that all kinds of living things should make their homes on it. We read this in Isa. 45:1818For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:18): "God Himself that formed the earth... created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited." Also in Rev. 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11) it says, "For Thy pleasure they are and were created."
In His kind thoughts toward people, who would be the roost important part of His creation, we are told of "the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Tim. 6:1717Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (1 Timothy 6:17). Not only did He have pleasure in His creation, but He wants us to share that pleasure with Him.
Another kind of creation is also mentioned in the Bible: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means that those who accept Christ as their Savior receive a new life which is pleasing to God. When we walk in His ways, this brings happiness to us as well. Have you become part of that new creation by accepting Christ as your Savior?