Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands.
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God longs to reveal Himself to a willing heart. Through nature and scripture, when we are keen to study, we can clearly see His wonderful attributes.
We believe in God by faith but that does not deny us the value of thinking and testing. Faith does not exclude the duty to think, seek and see if what we have learned is true. We need to taste and see the goodness of God (Psalms 34:8) but we can’t do that if we don’t have a knowledge of the God we serve.
Our creator has always revealed Himself to man. (Romans 1:18-25). Through futile attempts, man has sought to destroy the image of God. Some have even equated God with His creation.
The heavens, as well as the earth, are all the LORD’s (Psalms 89:11) and in their small or big ways teach us of God’s wonderful attributes. “Through nature, we see not only the power of God in His creative acts and His sustaining power, but we also learn about His love, wisdom, and mercy. Being in nature brings us close to God and restores us both physically and spiritually.”
Some of the lessons we can learn from creation include:
1: The mighty power of God – His creative word
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. (Psalm 33:6) Also notice Hebrews 11:3. In the creation story, we see the power of the word of God: “And God said…” and the universe become what it is. He created the mountains, the stars flowers, animals and so much more by the power of His word.
At the end of creation, everything was perfect and beautiful. “Our God is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is outwardly attractive He loves the beauty of character; He would have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces of the flowers”
The mighty power that created the whole universe has also promised to create in us a new heart and put a new spirit within us. And remove the hearts of stone from us and give us the heart of fresh. (Ezekiel 36:26). We just like the Psalmist need to ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew the right spirit within us. (Psalms 51:10-19)
2: God is the provider and sustainer of His creation
God cares for and sustains everything that He has created. The lions (Psalms 104:21), as well as the sparrow (Mathew 10:29-31), are all under His care. We are part of God’s creation, in fact, we are created in His image. We are then assured of His wonderful care.
If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be dismissed. Our lives would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for everything, whether great or small, would be left in the hands of God, who is not perplexed by the multiplicity of cares, or overwhelmed by their weight. We should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long been strangers
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3: Nature teaches us obedience
God told Job of His Omnipotence and how His creation obeys him (Job 38). The oceans, the clouds, and much more obey the voice of their creator. When Jesus was sleeping in the storm with His disciples “He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.” (Luke 8:24). We are called to obey our creator just as nature does.
4: Nature tells us of God’s glory (Psalms 19:1-6)
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
More about God is revealed in the scriptures. Jesus speaking to the Jews told them, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (Psalms John 5:39). The whole Bible tells of Christ and therefore we need to always feed on the word of God so that we get to be spiritually filled and have full knowledge of God. We should always study the Bible prayerfully and meditate upon it every day.
As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.
Steps to Christ
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of God you may abound in hope.
