Sabbath Thought - What Hath God Wrought!

While there are many scientific achievements and breakthroughs that have facilitated the modern world, there is disagreement about which were the greatest and most impactful. On May 24, 1844 a world changing event took place - the first telegraphic message was transmitted between two cities. Until that day, if two people in two different locations wanted to communicate, they either had to travel to see each other or they wrote a letter. Both forms of long-distance communication were slow and time consuming.

In a world increasingly devoid of knowledge, or even respect, of God, the first telegraph message was, "What hath God wrought!," (from Numbers 23:32). From the Reformation until the middle 1900's, the Bible had been a cornerstone of everything - politics were shaped by it, business was shaped by it, culture was shaped by it - and more importantly, individuals based their lives on it. We could argue the doctrinal integrity, but up until the mid-1900's people sought to live their lives by what they understood from the Bible.

The scientific breakthrough that happened on May 24, 1844 was achieved by a man named Samuel F. B. Morse (also inventor of the Morse Code). Morse was a dedicated Christian inventor - that is, he believed as many others that it was the duty of man to unlock the mysteries God hid in His creation (Proverbs 25:2). Morse did not invent the telegraph out of idle curiosity, but rather out of tragedy. What is not widely known about Morse is that he was a celebrated painter before developing the telegraph. He was in Washington D.C. in 1825 painting a portrait when he received word that his wife in New England was seriously ill. He quickly returned home, but found not only that his wife had already died, but that she had also already been buried.

The time it took to receive the news regarding his wife, and the time it took him to travel home was his enemy. He decided to find a better and faster way to communicate long-distance. Initially, Morse developed a single wire strand telegraph that could transmitted messages, but it only worked over short distances. Through continued work he finally developed a means of transmitting signals over long distances.

Morse demonstrated his invention in this nation's capital, and in 1843 Congress appointed money to construct a telegraph line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD. Morse sent his famous message from the basement of the U.S. Capital the following year. Many years later, Morse reflected on his invention and had this to say:

"If not a sparrow falls to the ground without a definite purpose in the plans of infinite wisdom (Matthew 10:29), can the creation of the instrumentality so vitally affecting the interests of the whole human race have an origin less humble than the Father of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)?...I use the words of inspiration (that is, the Bible) in ascribing honor and praise to Him to Whom first of all and most of all it is pre-eminently due. 'Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory,' (Psalm 115:1). Not what hath man, but 'What hath God wrought!,' (Numbers 23:23)."

Samuel F. B. Morse's invention did indeed change the world. People could now communicate over great distances in a matter of minutes compared to weeks or months previously. From the principles Morse discovered, the telephone was later invented, and these advances continued and today we can communicate to virtually any other spot on the planet in a matter of seconds through smart phones and computers.

We may not invent something as world-changing as Samuel F. B. Morse did, but we should have the same outlook as he did. Do we give "honor and praise to Him" in whatever we are able to accomplish in the life He has given us? When others praise us, do we give God "all the glory"? We have been given a calling and a purpose beyond imagination, and of all the people alive at this time, we should be the most grateful to God.

On this Sabbath day, I would encourage you to deeply consider, "What hath God wrought?" in your life.

I wish you a peaceful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

24 May, 2019