The universe, what is known of it, is vast beyond measure.  It is estimated that there are about 100 billion galaxies in the universe with each containing about 100 billion stars each.  Among all of those stars, one medium sized star hosts eight or nine planets, one of which we call home – Earth – a tiny speck of dust in a measureless universe.  But what makes Earth so special?  For one thing, Earth is perfectly suited for life as we know it.  Some scientists, however, find it difficult to believe that Earth is the only planet in the entire universe capable of supporting life.  For that reason, they spend billions of dollars “listening” for intelligence “out there” somewhere, or sending probes to Mars to find evidence that life once existed there or maybe still exists in one form or another.  They probe the stars for evidence of habitable planets, but to date, no evidence for life has been found anywhere other than here on our beautiful blue planet.

So what makes earth so special and especially suited for life?

• The average surface temperature of Earth, according to NASA figures, is 15°C (59°F).  Three main reasons for this are:
  • Earth’s distance from the sun – not too close, not too far
  • The tilt of Earth’s axis (23.5°) that gives us our seasons
  • The rotation of the earth once every 24 hours helps maintain an even temperature
• Earth’s atmosphere is a perfect blend of gasses: Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (<1%) and Carbon Dioxide (0.03%). They are essential for sustaining life and protecting us from harmful radiation.
• The density of our atmosphere is ideal for insulating us from the coldness of space.
• Earth’s diameter also factors directly into the density of the atmosphere.
  • A larger diameter would increase the density of the atmosphere and increase Earth’s temperatures. 
  • A smaller diameter would decrease the density of the atmosphere and make the earth colder.
• Water is a rare compound in space, but it is abundant here on earth.
  • Liquid water has unique chemical and physical properties making it ideal as the primary component of life.
  • As the universal solvent, water makes it possible for essential nutrients needed for life to be dissolved and assimilated.
  • Water’s transparency makes it possible for ocean plant life to perform photosynthesis below the surface and for ocean animals to see through the water.
  • Water expands when it freezes, keeping our rivers, lakes and oceans from freezing from the bottom up.
  • Water captures and retains solar heat thereby absorbing more of the sun’s energy than equal areas of land.  This helps maintain Earth’s average temperatures.
  • Ocean currents caused by the earth's rotation serve to circulate seawater and prevent the equatorial seas from becoming too hot and the polar seas from becoming too cold and freezing completely.
• Earth’s continents cover less than one-third of our planet’s surface.  If we were to scrape off the continents and place them in the deeper parts of the ocean to make an earth of common elevation, we would have an earth covered with approximately 8,000 feet of water!  That is something to consider next time someone questions the feasibility of a global flood!
• Of the four inner planets in our solar system, only Earth has a moon.
  • The moon is the perfect size and distance from the earth
  • Its size and distance make for perfect eclipses, providing a precise time record confirming the chronological systems employed by O.T. scribes.
  • The moon’s gravitational pull on the earth gives us our tides which prosper ocean life and cleanse the shorelines.
• Earth’s weather patterns and water cycle ensure that the land is watered regularly.

So much more could be said about our incredible home.  It would seem that it was designed specifically with man in mind.

Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." Can you give specific examples of this?