Scientists today often assume that in a universe filled with countless stars and galaxies, conditions capable of supporting intelligent life surely must exist elsewhere in the universe. To think otherwise, they say, is egotistical!
But I believe it’s also reasonable—and humbling—to conclude that intelligent life does not exist anywhere else. A major reason is that the probability of the many factors necessary to preserve intelligent life existing elsewhere is infinitesimally small. Factors include the protective ozone layer and earth’s magnetic field, the abundance of water, the size and distance of the moon and sun, and the presence of planets like Jupiter to shield us from destructive meteorites.
Furthermore, the Bible reveals God as being geocentric: In all the universe His focus is squarely on the Earth. This is where Jesus came and will return. This is the location of the New Jerusalem and not some other place.
In his book God and Science: Coming Full Circle, author James Molben respects both views:
If life is plentiful in the universe, we may all benefit from being spread out over such a great distance. If we are unique, the whole cosmos might just be one massive blackboard, filled with moving data points for us to study and learn from.
Regardless, the Earth’s uniqueness suggests that mankind is far more significant than many realize. Not only does God love us—He also values us. We are precious to Him beyond human comprehension. In the words of the Apostle Paul:
What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Once again to quote James Molben:
So the next time you look up at the night sky, think first about how small you are relative to the universe. Next, think about why that is precisely what makes you so special.