Reading: Genesis 1:1-10
God created the world as a mirror so we can see His wisdom, majesty and power. We can observe the admirable structure of heaven, earth and seas, their hidden treasures and the amazing processes which harmonize to sustain every form of life. Furthermore God also ensures all things continue orderly day by day. Daily the sun rises and sets; its light gives daily nourishment to living creatures, as well as colour so we can admire the beauty of nature. All this provides us with a rich knowledge of God.
Nobody is able to claim ignorance of God. Unbelievers too have no excuse for their unbelief “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:19-20). Acts 14:17 says “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
The above knowledge is not, however, enough for us to worship God rightly and receive salvation in Jesus Christ. Because of sin and our limited understanding we need more, therefore God also gives us the Bible. It reveals matters which would otherwise be hidden from us. Without the Bible we would not understand the fall into sin and all its results. Furthermore we would not understand that Jesus Christ, by shedding His blood, is our Saviour. The Bible is therefore like a pair of glasses by which we rightly see all the things of God.
We therefore know God by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, care and control of the universe; second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy Word.
Key text: Genesis 1:3-5 “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”
Question: What are some of the wonderful things about God we can discover by studying the creation, preservation, and care and control of the universe? How does that comfort you?