Daily Devotional – October 17

Biology

What is one of the most ravenous carnivores in the ocean? Children immediately respond – “A Shark!” But they are wrong. It turns out to be a starfish! A single sea star (or starfish) can devour 12 clams a day.

As the starfish creeps over the ocean floor, it finds its primary food source - bivalves such as oysters and clams. It then crawls on top of the clam, wrapping its arms around each half and pulls. At first, the clam’s muscles keep its shell tightly shut. The starfish’s numerous tube feet, which act like suction cups, keep the pressure on. Slowly, the clam tires and it opens up - just a bit. At that exact instant, the starfish thrusts its stomach (which looks like a parachute) out of its mouth and slips it inside the clam.

The starfish stomach begins to digest a tasty clam meal while inside the clam’s own shell! After eating, the stomach returns with its contents to the starfish. Aren’t you glad that we do not eat our food this way! Imagine eating dinner - you thrust your stomach out of your mouth, onto the table, and digest the food right there! When finished, you would pull your stomach back in. I hope you can stomach one of the most remarkable methods of eating in the world. God loves to show us His creativity!

Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.

~ Job 37:5b

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.