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How many times do we humans think we are the self-made destroyers or deliverers of the universe? We are the factors of whether the earth lasts or ceases. We make it sink or swim. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill earlier this year, BP used chemical dispersants to help break down the oil gushing from the oil well. While the dispersants arguably demonstrated their usefulness, experts have also said the quick dissipation of the once-widespread sheen could be credited largely to nature, not man. It isn’t completely gone, but the situation has improved greatly. The oil spill was in the news; now not so much. Whether people cleaned up the oil, or whether nature did the brunt of the work, or whether both deserve recognition, we may arrive at one conclusion—God is really the one who took care of it.

God is behind the resourcefulness of man.

Any good man does God enables. But regarding man’s ability, God also teaches him that he should not allow it to cause him to feel superior or proud (cf. 1 Co. 10:12; Ga. 6:3)—that he cannot add one cubit to his stature or change the color of a hair on his head just by thinking about it (Mt. 6:27; 5:36). When something bad happens, most people think, “What can we do about it?” To some degree this is a good question, but if one thinks that man can do it alone, he is mistaken. Instead, it is best to remember that what man can do is only by God’s influence and providence.

One doctor is not solely responsible for a patient surviving cancer. What about the people who discovered the medical treatments the patient received? What about the surgeon who helped removed suspicious cells? And what about God who gave the earth components for treating the cancer and man the intellect to research and develop a cure? One doctor didn’t cure the cancer. Others were involved. Most importantly, God was the real problem solver.

In America’s literary past was a period termed the Enlightenment. It was a time when numerous scientific discoveries were being made and when studies in philosophy and psychology had a big impact here and throughout the world. Although there were some great achievements in that period, the time was also a beginning-point of people discounting God as Creator and Sovereign. Today, the intellectuals among us tend to do the same, believing there is no God. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Ps. 14:1). The smart ones aren’t always as smart as they seem.

There was a dreadful event that succeeded the Bible account of the flood. People worked together to build a mighty city and tower. They didn’t seek to build it in God’s name or while recognizing His power and providence. They pridefully and selfishly built it, declaring “Let us make a name” (Ge. 11:4). The people glorified themselves instead of God. They did not care to see that their abilities and substance were only gifts on loan from God.

God is behind the works of nature.

God is the Creator of all things (Ep. 3:6; Col. 1:16). Since the time He finished creation, the earth has continued its natural course (with a single exception in Joshua 10:13). Every part of the earth has a natural cycle: the oceans, weather, plants, animals, etc. There was a time when God interacted supernaturally with the earth and man (cf. 1 Co. 13:8); however, there has never been a time when He dissected Himself from nature. He is the Builder and Sustainer of it, though He does allow it to do its work without apparent divine intervention.

God “giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields” (Job 5:10). He is behind vapor ascending and lightning crashing (Ps. 135:7). Fire and hail, snow and vapor are his (Ps. 148:8). He causes the clouds and grows the grass (Ps. 147:8). If God does all these things, is it not true that He is capable of naturally caring for our beloved Gulf? —And He certainly has. The elements of the Gulf have already assisted in breaking down the clods of oil. What was thought to be so bad has actually turned out better than feared.

I’m not saying everything is perfect. We aren’t done cleaning up and we certainly cannot be done praying to God for His guidance and aid. Whatever progress is made—whatever good that ensues—it isn’t by man’s efforts alone, but by our Father in heaven.