"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever." (Psalm 104:5)

Secular astronomers and geologists have become increasingly concerned that the earth might be shattered some day by a collision with a swarm of asteroids, or even with a star. Apart from this, they say, the sun is going to burn out (or maybe explode!), and this would also terminate the earth. Possibly some future nuclear war will set off a chain reaction which will disintegrate the earth.

We can allay their fears. God has assured us that both the heavens and the earth will abide forever. He is the Creator, and, being omniscient, He does not make mistakes.

Note a few of the verses which verify this, in addition to our text: "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth" (Psalm 119:90).

"Praise ye him, sun and moon: . . . all ye stars of light. . . . for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever" (Psalm 148:3, 5-6).

"|David's| seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven" (Psalm 89:36-37).

"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

The earth will not last forever in its present form, of course, for it is under God's curse because of man's sin. In their present form, the earth and the heavens are "pass|ing| away," Jesus said (Matthew 24:35), and one day the very "elements shall melt" and the earth "shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). But then, "according to his promise," God will create "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13), and then it "shall remain before me, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 66:22). HMM