Daily Devotional – September 20

Biology

The Crucian carp is an amazing fish that can survive for extended periods without oxygen. “Look Ma, no air!” As the deep snow piles up on the frozen Scandinavian lakes, no light is able to penetrate into the lake water deep below the ice. This results in a lack of oxygen in the lake water. In most creatures, including most fish, the lack of oxygen results in the build-up of lactic acid – ultimately resulting in death. The Crucian carp, however, is able to survive. How?

God has designed this fish to slow its heartbeat as the oxygen levels decrease. As oxygen levels continue to drop, an amazing change occurs. The carp changes its metabolic chemistry, so it does not need oxygen. Meanwhile, it starts transforming the deadly lactic acids into sugars to create energy without needing oxygen. How do evolutionists explain this? Did carp get together with their chemistry sets and decide they needed to create a new way of surviving without oxygen? How would they know what to do? The carp needed this builtin ability from the beginning in order to survive harsh Scandinavian winters. The creativity of Jesus is revealed in the design of these carp!

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

~ Psalm 77:12-13

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

References for this devotional.