Creation

While many of us affirm the truth that God made the world and that it displays his handiwork, and while some of us go so far as to say that it is God’s strategic source of “general revelation” to mankind, it is unfortunate that most of us take so little time to utilize God’s creation as a catalyst for worship. David states that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of his hand… day after day they pour forth speech and night after night they display knowledge” (Ps.19:1-2). That was not just a theological assertion for David, it was most often a stirring prompt to pray, sing and worship the Creator. In Psalm 8 for instance, David recognizes the various ways God’s greatness is seen in the created order (from the stars and the moon to the varieties of herds, birds and fish) only to frame his observations with heartfelt praise: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth” (vv.1, 9). While the world is often enamored with God’s creation, yet failing to honor the Creator (Rom.1:25), let us not miss the daily opportunity given to us through the sunsets, constellations or crisp ocean air to specifically and sincerely praise the Creator whose craftsmanship is on perpetual display.

-- Pastor Mike

Creator Credit

Like Nebuchadnezzar strutting on the walls of Babylon (Dan.4), or Herod taking his bows in his royal robes (Ac.12), or the nine lepers thoughtlessly strolling on their merry way (Lk.17), when moderns carelessly deny God the credit for their origins or their daily blessings they cannot think that they will be exempt from the same divine response. Certainly God, above all others, deserves credit for his works. The Bible does not remember Nebuchadnezzar, Herod and the nine lepers as self-made role models, but as warnings. They are reminders that when the Creator decides to bless our lives and our world with beauty, pleasure or prosperity we, as his creatures, should always take the time to humbly praise him for being the gracious Giver. The Psalmist tells us to “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts” (Ps.105:1-2). Let’s embrace that directive, open our eyes to God’s works and boldly give him the credit for the great things he has done.

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