The Real Reason The Earth Is Tilted

The real reason the earth is tilted is simple......it's tilted because God wanted it exactly that way. It turns' out that not every planet is tilted the same as the earth. Our planet is tilted approximately 23.5 degrees. Some are similar to ours, such as Mars (24 degrees), Saturn (26.7 degrees), and Neptune (29.9 degrees). However, Mercury isn't tilted at all. And Jupiter is barely tilted (3 degrees). But get this, Uranus is tilted so much (97.9 degrees), it's basically rolling around the sun on its side! Wow!

The tilt of the earth, its distance from the sun, and its orbit around the sun is perfectly positioned to sustain human life! Hmmm. I wonder why? I'll tell you why. It's because there is a Creator God who put it all in place! The degree of tilt is just right. More of a tilt would cause too much of an extreme of winter and summer temperatures. 

Some "scientists" speculate that a Mars-size object randomly crashed into the earth some billions of years ago and caused the earth to tilt on its axis. If that happened, then it wasn't random. It was God hurling it into earth to purposely tilt it. However, couldn't God just tilt it right right from the start? I think so.

For all the scientists who think they have it all figured out, listen to what God sarcastically said to Job. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?" (Job 38:4-5) 

God placed the earth exactly how He wanted it placed. And He tilted it exactly how He wanted it tilted. By tilting the earth, God could spread out the population of mankind. If the earth had no tilt, humans would no doubt populate the earth only near the equator because most of the northern and southern hemispheres would be in a very cold winter all the time. The tilt, along with the orbit of the earth, was the way God could help disperse the ever-increasing population around the most of the land mass of the globe. Genius.

And of course, if the earth wasn't tilted, there would be no seasons. Because of the tilt, the northern hemisphere experiences summer when it's tilted toward the sun, and then when its tilted away from the sun on the opposite side of its orbit, winter occurs. The same is true for the southern hemisphere. Seasons are really important because without seasons, there would be adverse affects on agriculture in most of the world. The majority of crops need seasons of planting, of growing, and of harvesting, It's all part of God's design to sustain human existence.  

When you think about it, the brilliant architecture of the solar system proclaims God's glory. It's another reminder of God and His incredible design of the universe. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)

So many people try to take God out of the picture - try to make a stand against a Creator. For me, even a well crafted TV show with incredible graphics, music, and a persuasive commentator cannot sway me from the truth that there is a Creator God. 

The vast expanse of the universe, and the amazing balance of the solar system, keeps reminding me of God's hand in all things. Gazing into the night time sky prompts me to take a moment to worship an all powerful, magnificent God. So, take time to look up and be in awe of God. 

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." (Psalm 65:8)

The Great Providence Of Almighty God

I believe in the Providence of God. What is "providence" anyway? I suppose a great way to describe it is this......the divine, sovereign, and benevolent control of all things in heaven and on earth by God. In other words, God is able to intervene, alter, and arrange things at will. Things of nature and things in our lives.

The way I look at it is that when it comes to God intervening, a lot depends on "if He so chooses". In other words, God either allows things to happen, or He makes things happen. Things may happen in this life that are bad, but that is the result of the fall of man, not by an act of God. The sin and corruption that entered this world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and the influence of Satan, has consequences. God is not going to fix every disease, every disaster, and make perfect peace rule. That is, not until Jesus returns. 

Can we convince God to act? The answer is without a doubt...yes! However, there are conditions. God, who is sovereign and has all authority, has to choose to act, or choose not to. It's up to Him. In either case, it demonstrates His authority and sovereignty.

What's difficult for me is understanding why He chooses not to act or intervene sometimes. I guess none of us will ever know. Maybe no action on His part is for a bigger purpose that we cannot see. Or maybe no action is simply God saying that it doesn't matter to Him either way in the big-picture scheme of things.

I'm OK with God not answering my prayers as long as I know that He at least hears and considers my requests. That's good enough for me. I'll leave it up to Him to decide the outcome. However, one thing is certain - He wants us to ask. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

One thing about the providence of God that I really like is this....He is able to interact with us on a real-time basis. God is truly an interactive God. He is alive and well, and ever-present. And what is so comforting is the fact that, if we are His, He ultimately works everything in our favor, for our good. He is the perfect Father. 

Yes, I believe in the providence of God - that He has the power and authority to control all things. And I believe that His motivation to interact with us is this....Love. That's why He works things in our favor, and that's why He sent Jesus to save us. So, I'll conclude by echoing the words of King David:

 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)