One of these great creatures is the walrus, and what a strange animal it is, with its long tusks, whiskers, ungainly body and ugly face! Its home in the cold Arctic is mostly ice and water, where it feeds on clams, fish and sea urchins.
How can the walrus ever live in such conditions, where an unprotected man would quickly freeze to death—and how can it dive to great depths for its food, without drowning? The answer is that God has created it in a special way enabling it to do so. Its principal protection from the cold is a thick layer of blubber between its skin and flesh. The walrus needs to maintain a body temperature the same as a human and could not do so without this insulation. God has also prided a built-in “thermostat” that automatically starts blood pumping from the blubber to the muscles, flesh and internal body organs the moment the animal enters the freezing water, keeping it very comfortable. But in leaving the water and returning to the ice or seashore it would be too warm with all that hot blood circulating through its body, so the “thermostat” goes to work and the right proportion of blood returns into the blubber and skin where it radiates off. Exposed to the air, it is soon back to a comfortable temperature.
As this is an air-breathing mammal, God has given it “valves” that shut off its breathing whenever it dives beneath the surface, where it may stay a half hour or so. Then, when it surfaces, the “valves” open again and it can resume breathing. Without that provision it would drown.
We do not know just why these strange animals were created. They do, of course, provide food for Eskimos, as well as skins, blubber and ivory tusks that are useful. It might seem odd that such unusual creatures would inhabit the cold places of the north, but God had His purpose in placing them there and adapting them to such harsh surroundings.
But, while God watches carefully over all the animals, He is more intensely interested in every boy and girl, every man and woman, that He has created and does not intend for us to remain on this earth forever. He invites us to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and when we do so promises us “An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4). Have you accepted this gracious invitation?
ML-05/18/1980