Family Devotion Time: Snakes!

This world can be a tough place. From deadly snakes and disease-causing bacteria to blood-sucking leeches, you don’t have to look far to find evidence of a world that’s filled with suffering and death. In fact, the famous biologist of the 1800s, Charles Darwin, saw all this suffering in the world as a reason to reject the God of the Bible and turn to the idea of evolution.

So, if God is good, why do animals eat each other? Why do snakes inject dangerous venom?

Darwin—and many others who have rejected God—overlooked one important fact: the world we live in today is not the same as when God first created it. Because of sin, the perfect creation of Genesis 1 and 2 became the cursed creation of Genesis 3 through Revelation 20. That’s why we experience suffering, disease, and death.

Venom that harms other creatures wasn’t part of the “very good” creation where God placed Adam. But after the fall, God provided a way for snakes to eat and defend themselves.

Better still, the curse is not the last word. The Bible tells us in Revelation 21 and 22 that one day Jesus Christ will return and bring about new heavens and a new earth with no more sin or death. Forever!

Talk It Over

• What would the world have been like in Genesis 1?
• What changed about our world in Genesis 3?
• If someone told you that God can’t be good because of all the suffering in the world, how would you answer?
• What are some ways that God provided protection for animals in a fallen world? How about for us humans?

Hey Kids!

Because of sin, our world is now filled with suffering. But God still shows his love by taking care of his creation and promising to make things right one day.