All Nature Sings: A Devotional Guide to Animals in the Bible

by Ben Cooper

All Nature Sings is a devotional book about animals in the Bible. It is written to answer the question, "What can we learn from animal characteristic traits as it relates to our Christian walk with the Creator of all things?" Since all scripture is "God breathed," there are lessons to be learned by looking into these created beings. This book can be used for sermon illustrations, Bible study, children sermons, and homeschool curriculum. All of nature sings God's praises. This book was written to help us learn to listen for them.

160 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2018

About the author

All Nature Sings has a second edition out as of December 2026. The new cover and some slight changes has been received well in the reading community. It also has been declared a winner in two categories in the Spring 2026 Infinite Generations Positive Impact Awards.

New release August 2022 from Guideposts publishing, "All God's Creatures" 2023 devotional. I am a contributing author to this collection of daily devotionals that all deal with animals.

New Release 2022 of "Can, Sir!" I am a contributing writer to this collection that is know as part of the "Moment" collection by Grace Publishing and edited by Yvonne Lehman.

Second book in the "Created Critters" series released November 2021. "Created Critters with Fur"

New Release November 2020 - "Created Critters With Wings." This is a children's rhyming picture book for ages 4 - 8.

"All Nature Sings", has won multiple awards:
-Silver medal in 2020 Illumination Awards:
Enduring Light.
-Wright Medal in 2019 Serious Writer.
-Maxwell Medal in 2019 Serious Writer.

Background
Ben grew up on a small family farm in western Pennsylvania where he was active in 4-H. He later went on to Penn State University and obtained a degree in Agricultural Science in 1984. While at PSU, Ben focused on plant & animals sciences, was a member of the Penn State Livestock Judging team, and did a 4 month Internship at the Heifer International ranch in Arkansas. After graduation, Ben went on to work 32 years for Maryland Dept. of Agriculture as a Conservation Planner, where he retired in 2018.

He is an avid beekeeper which started back in his 4-H days. He now mentors new beekeepers and teaches courses at Allegany College of Maryland. He was awarded Maryland Freestate Beekeeper Citizenship Award in 2017 for his work on beekeeping legislation for Maryland.

Ben is a graduate of the Cornerstone Bible Institute, a 3 year Continuing Education outreach to systematically study the Old and New Testament, as well as Christian doctrine and theology.

He has been involved in short-term Christian missionary work traveling to parts of the USA and the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia and St. Kitts.

Animals can bridge social, economical, cultural and language barriers to bring people together. Using a lifetime of firsthand experience with animals and a dedication to the Christian life helped form the basis of his first book, All Nature Sings.

Reviews

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast, but educational and wonder-provoking read. The author draws on his scientific expertise to inform the exploration of this catalogue of animals, which display the glory of God. These devotionals could be helpful to parents and teachers, yes, but they also encourage believers of all ages to wonder at our Creator by pondering His amazing creations. The complexity and beauty in these creatures are extraordinary and helps us to know better the Being who designed them. The observations in creation actually reinforce truths found in God's Word, as the author so wisely demonstrates.

[J.D. Wininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What must have only been a labor of love, the author painstakingly details every instance of where God's word uses His various animal creations to teach valuable lessons in faith. With each animal-focused devotional, we learn new things about the animal themselves, how they were used by God to teach, admonish, correct, or guide, where they can be found throughout the Bible, and how each animal can be applied in our lives. After reading this book, I find I no longer look at animals the same way. Instead of seeing a cow, donkey, or horse, I see one of God's wonderful creations; and I reflect upon how God can use each one to teach me something new through His natural world. All Nature Sings brings the words of Revelation 5:13 to life.

[Dorothy Boisvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the organizer of our book club, I am always searching for books that will spark meaningful conversations and leave a lasting impact on our members. All Nature Sings did exactly that and more. When I introduced this book to our group, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it quickly became one of the most talked-about devotionals we have read together. The way Ben Cooper draws spiritual lessons from animals mentioned in the Bible is both fascinating and inspiring. Our members found themselves discussing the devotionals long after our meetings ended. This book encouraged us to look at God's creation with fresh eyes and reminded us that His wisdom can be found in places we often overlook. It was a wonderful experience for our entire group.

[James G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club recently had the privilege of reading All Nature Sings, and the response from our members was overwhelmingly positive. As someone who coordinates book discussions, I can honestly say this book created some of the most engaging and uplifting conversations we have had in a long time. Every chapter offered a unique lesson, and members frequently shared how the devotionals spoke directly to their personal faith journeys. Ben Cooper's thoughtful approach to Scripture and nature is truly remarkable. This is the kind of book that not only teaches but also inspires readers to grow spiritually. We were all deeply blessed by it.

[Rebecca D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

On behalf of our book club, I want to thank Ben Cooper for writing such an encouraging and inspiring devotional. Margaret Lawson introduced this book to our reading group, and it quickly became a favorite among our members. Week after week, we found ourselves excited to discuss the powerful lessons hidden within the animals of Scripture. The book is rich with biblical wisdom, yet written in a way that is accessible, engaging, and enjoyable to read. It strengthened our faith, enriched our discussions, and reminded us that all of creation truly points to the greatness of God. We wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a devotional that is both unique and spiritually uplifting.

[Barbara S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Nature Sings is one of the most unique and refreshing devotional books I have read in a long time. I never imagined that studying the animals mentioned in the Bible could reveal so many meaningful lessons for everyday Christian living. Ben Cooper has a wonderful way of connecting God's creation to God's Word, and every chapter left me with something new to reflect on. This book deepened my appreciation for both Scripture and nature. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring and faith-building read.

[Mark S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Lawson recommended All Nature Sings to our book club, and I am so grateful she did. From the very first devotional, our members were captivated by the author's insight and creativity. We loved discovering how animals throughout the Bible reveal important truths about faith, obedience, perseverance, and trust in God. Several members commented that they had never encountered a devotional quite like this before. The discussions it generated were thoughtful, encouraging, and faith-building. This book became one of our favorite selections of the year.

[Sarah L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book expecting to learn a little more about animals in the Bible, but I ended up discovering so much more. Every chapter opened my eyes to truths I had overlooked for years. Ben Cooper has a remarkable gift for taking something familiar and revealing powerful spiritual lessons hidden beneath the surface. This book strengthened my faith, inspired my daily walk with God, and reminded me of the beauty of His creation. I closed the final page feeling encouraged, refreshed, and grateful.

[Mary Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book. From the very first pages, I was captivated by the author's insight and thoughtful observations. The way he draws spiritual lessons from the characteristics of animals found in Scripture is both creative and deeply biblical. Every devotional encouraged me to look at God's creation through a new lens. This is a book that will stay on my shelf and be revisited often. A truly wonderful read.

[Martha K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It combines faith, Scripture, and nature in such a beautiful and engaging way. Each chapter felt like a gentle reminder that God can teach us through every part of His creation. I found myself pausing often to reflect on the lessons presented and how they applied to my own walk with Christ. Ben Cooper has written something special here, and I am grateful to have discovered it.

[Gene C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books you enjoy, and then there are books that stay with you long after you finish them. All Nature Sings belongs in the second category. The author's insights are thoughtful, uplifting, and deeply rooted in Scripture. I found myself highlighting passages throughout the book because there were so many meaningful takeaways. This devotional helped me see God's wisdom in a completely new way. It was an absolute joy to read.

[Danielle R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful and inspiring book. Every devotional felt like a conversation that gently pointed my heart back to God. The lessons drawn from animals were surprisingly profound and incredibly relevant to everyday life. I was amazed by how much wisdom the author uncovered through Scripture and nature. This is one of the most unique Christian books I have read in years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Lakeshia Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded every expectation I had. The concept alone is fascinating, but the execution is exceptional. The author takes biblical passages and brings them to life through thoughtful observations and practical applications. I found myself eagerly turning pages, excited to discover the next lesson. It is rare to find a devotional that is both educational and spiritually uplifting, but this book accomplishes both beautifully.

[Jacqueline Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a short journey in our Saviors path. This is a story that enlightens a broader spectrum of deeper understanding of the bible with facts about animals. I was not only intrigued about animals in the world, but also how our creator gave them intricate details to survive in his kingdom. Read this and get a bigger, and clearer vision about our creator, and some facts of the BIBLE - Basic Information Before Leaving This Earth.
Open your eyes, ears, and soul as you read on to the very last page to understand more about God's Kingdom. I highly recommend this book to read!

[Stephen S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional exceeded all of my expectations. The concept is fascinating, but what impressed me most was how practical and encouraging each lesson became. The author takes familiar animals from the Bible and reveals spiritual truths that are relevant, uplifting, and memorable. I finished the book feeling inspired, challenged, and closer to God.

[Charles T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of its unique title, but I stayed because of the powerful content. Every devotional is rich with biblical wisdom and thoughtful reflection. Ben Cooper has a gift for helping readers see the fingerprints of God throughout nature. This book reminded me that all of creation truly points back to its Creator.

[Jacob M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Nature Sings is an exceptional devotional that beautifully blends Scripture, nature, and practical faith lessons. It is uplifting, inspiring, and filled with wisdom that readers can apply to their daily lives. Ben Cooper has written a book that not only informs the mind but also encourages the heart. I finished it feeling blessed, inspired, and eager to recommend it to others.

[Thomas J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many devotionals over the years, but this one stands out for its originality and depth. The animal-focused approach makes the lessons easy to remember while still delivering profound spiritual truths. It is a wonderful resource for personal devotion, Bible study, or even sermon preparation.

[Bernice M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret shared All Nature Sings with our group, and it became one of the highlights of our reading season. The devotionals are thoughtful, easy to understand, and filled with biblical insight. What impressed us most was how naturally the author connected animal traits with lessons that apply to our everyday Christian walk. This book encouraged and inspired every member of our group.

[Josephine B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I joined our book club discussion not knowing much about the book, but I quickly became captivated by its message. The author's observations are insightful, and his love for God's Word shines through every chapter. Our group appreciated how the devotionals challenged us to reflect more deeply on our relationship with God while enjoying fascinating lessons from nature.

[Frances Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Nature Sings reminded me that God's fingerprints are everywhere. The devotionals are insightful, encouraging, and filled with biblical truth. What impressed me most was how naturally the lessons connected with real-life challenges and experiences. Every chapter left me with something valuable to think about and apply. This is a book I will return to again and again.

[Rachael M Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Nature Sings: A Devotional Guide to Animals in the Bible by award-winning author Ben Cooper is a great read for animal lovers and truth seekers. Readers will find much takeaway for their daily and spiritual lives in this compilation, which connects facts about the featured animals, scripture references, and correlating biblical principles.

[Peter Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this devotional. The writing is heartfelt, the lessons are meaningful, and the biblical insights are excellent. Every chapter offered encouragement and inspiration. This book strengthened my faith and helped me see God's creation with renewed wonder.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at animals and where they appear in the Bible. Some food for thought on how to apply what we learn about them to our daily lives.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book about animals and about how their characteristics can be used to improve my Christian walk. I would recommend to both Christian men and women.

[Lydia Korran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on my back porch over the course of several mornings, coffee in hand, with actual birds providing the soundtrack. That felt appropriate, almost inevitable, given the subject matter. Cooper writes about animals in scripture, and I found myself glancing up from the page to watch a squirrel argue with a blue jay, wondering what lesson I was supposed to extract from their particular brand of chaos. The book does not answer that specific question, but it gave me a framework for asking it, which turned out to be more valuable than I expected.

What surprised me most, what I am still turning over in my head, is how Cooper manages to make the familiar strange. I have read the story of Noah's ark more times than I can count. I have heard sermons about the dove and the olive branch, about the raven that did not return. But I had never stopped to consider the waiting. Cooper points out that Noah spent over a year on that boat with thousands of animals, and his devotional on that passage is not about the flood or the covenant or the rainbow. It is about the mundane, suffocating patience of caring for creation when you cannot see dry land. He asks whether we tend to the ordinary creatures in our lives, the relationships and responsibilities that feel like cargo rather than calling, while we wait for our own personal rescue. That landed uncomfortably. I thought about my elderly neighbor who I wave at but never visit. I thought about the stray cat I feed irregularly. I thought about the way I rush past the small, furry, feathery evidence of God's attention because I am too busy waiting for something more dramatic. Cooper does not preach at you about this. He just lays the scripture next to the creature and lets the silence between them do the work.

The writing is gentle without being saccharine. Cooper has a pastoral cadence, the kind of rhythm that comes from someone who has delivered enough children's sermons to know that simplicity is not the same as shallowness. Each chapter focuses on a specific animal, a specific biblical passage, and a specific trait. The ant teaches diligence. The eagle teaches renewal. The lion teaches courage. On paper, that sounds like a Sunday school worksheet, and there were moments early on when I braced myself for cliché. But Cooper undercuts the obvious lessons by constantly circling back to a single, more challenging idea: that animals are not just illustrations for human behavior. They are fellow creatures, fellow worshipers, fellow participants in a creation that groans and sings simultaneously. He quotes Job, where God reminds the suffering man that He asked the ostrich to be foolish and the horse to be fearless, and Cooper lingers on that oddness. God does not make every creature useful or efficient or morally instructive. Some of them are just weird. Some of them exist to display wild, impractical glory. And maybe, Cooper suggests, we are allowed to exist for that same reason. Not everything has to be a lesson. Sometimes it is just a song. That thought loosened something in my chest.

The devotional structure, one animal per chapter, a scripture verse, a reflection, a prayer, a question for contemplation, worked well for my scattered morning brain. I could read one chapter and sit with it for the rest of the day, noticing crows or dogs or the occasional deer in a way I had not before. But I will be honest: the format occasionally feels restrictive. Cooper is clearly a thoughtful writer, and I caught glimpses of deeper theological currents, particularly around the concept of stewardship versus dominion, that the devotional container did not allow him to fully explore. He raises the tension between humanity's God-given authority over animals and our repeated, catastrophic failure to exercise that authority with humility. But then the chapter ends, the prayer is printed, and we move on to the next creature. I wanted him to stay in that discomfort longer. I wanted him to wrestle with the fact that we eat the animals we also praise. He touches on it, lightly, but pulls back before the question becomes too sharp. For a book that asks us to learn from creation, it sometimes hesitates to look too closely at our own complicated place within it.

My other tension, and this is more personal, is the book's relentless optimism about the natural world. Cooper writes about animals as if they exist purely to teach us goodness. And yes, scripture does present creation as fundamentally good. But I have watched a cat toy with a dying mouse. I have seen the violent, indifferent mechanics of survival up close. Nature sings, absolutely, but sometimes it sings in a minor key, and Cooper's devotional leans heavily toward the major. He acknowledges predation briefly, the lion as hunter, but he frames it within God's sovereign design, which feels like a theological bypass. I am not sure I needed him to solve the problem of evil through the lens of animal behavior, that is a different book entirely, but I wanted him to at least name the discord rather than harmonizing over it. The animals in scripture are not all gentle lambs and patient oxen. There are locusts and leviathans, creatures of destruction and chaos. Cooper spends more time on the cuddly ones, and that imbalance made me suspect he was curating his menagerie toward comfort rather than truth.

And yet. And yet I found myself praying the prayers at the end of each chapter, something I have not done with a devotional in years. They are simple, unadorned, almost embarrassingly direct. God, teach me to be as faithful as the dog who waits by the door. God, help me to shed my old self like the snake sheds its skin. I felt silly saying them aloud, but I said them anyway. And something shifted. I started paying attention. I noticed the way the mockingbird repeats its phrases, practicing, never quite satisfied. I noticed the ant trail on my sidewalk and did not step on it. I noticed the heavy, patient stare of the cows in the field down the road, and I wondered what they knew that I did not.

Cooper writes in the introduction that all of nature sings God's praises, and we just need to learn to listen. That is not a new idea. It is ancient, actually, almost embarrassingly obvious. But the book made me hear it differently. It made me hear it as an invitation, not an instruction. You do not have to strain to decode the song. You just have to stop talking long enough to let it reach you. I am not sure I am a better Christian for having read this book. I am sure I am a more attentive human, which might be the same thing. For anyone who has grown numb to the natural world, who has stopped seeing the sparrow or the lily as anything but background noise, this devotional is a gentle, persistent reminder that you are surrounded by witnesses. You just have to look up from your own feet to see them.

[Michael K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Nature Sings is far more than a devotional about animals it is a beautiful invitation to see God's fingerprints throughout His creation and to grow closer to Him through careful reflection on Scripture. Ben Cooper has written with creativity, reverence, and a genuine love for God's Word. Whether you're using this book for personal devotions, family worship, Bible study, children's ministry, homeschooling, or sermon preparation, you'll find encouragement, fresh perspective, and timeless biblical wisdom on every page. It is a heartfelt reminder that all creation truly declares the glory of God, and that every believer can learn valuable lessons by paying attention to the marvelous works of our Creator. I wholeheartedly recommend this inspiring devotional to anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of both God's Word and His wonderful creation.

[Angela H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is an absolute breath of fresh air. I have read many Christian devotionals over the years, but All Nature Sings stands out because of its wonderfully unique approach. Ben Cooper reminds us that God's creation is filled with lessons if we simply take the time to observe and reflect. The way he connects the characteristics of animals in the Bible with practical truths for our Christian walk is inspiring, encouraging, and deeply thought-provoking. Every chapter encouraged me to slow down, appreciate God's handiwork, and draw closer to Him. This is a book that will continue blessing readers for years to come.

[Donald Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible reminder that God's wisdom is reflected throughout His entire creation! Ben Cooper has taken a fascinating concept and turned it into a devotional that is both spiritually enriching and wonderfully engaging. I found myself looking at familiar biblical animals from an entirely new perspective, discovering lessons that encouraged my faith and deepened my understanding of Scripture. This is the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression and continually points readers back to the greatness of our Creator.

[Michael C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book exceeded my expectations in every way. It is refreshing, uplifting, and filled with meaningful biblical reflections that encourage readers to see God's creation with new eyes. I especially appreciated how naturally the devotional draws connections between the animal kingdom and the Christian life. It reminded me that every part of creation ultimately brings glory to God. This would be an excellent resource for daily devotions, Bible studies, homeschooling, or anyone looking for fresh inspiration from God's Word.