Creation is Revelation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

This is how the Bible begins… with a simple but bold declaration that God created all that exists. But does the Doctrin of Creation really matter?

As it turns out... it really does. There are many ways in which Creation sets the stage for the rest of the biblical story, but one of the most important ways it does this is by giving us our first revelation of who God is. Creation reveals quite a bit about God to us!

First, it reveals that God is powerful. Genesis 1 tells us that God spoke creation into existence. He created by His Word. God simply said “Let there be light," and there was light. He said, "Let dry ground appear.” And it did appear! And God did the same with the sun, the moon, the stars, the plants and the animals. He simply spoke them into existence. That’s power!

Second, creation reveals God’s glory to us. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” In the same way that the moon has no light of its own but only reflects the glory of the sun, creation itself is only glorious because it reflects the glory of God. The evidence of God’s glory is all around you!

Third, creation reveals God's goodness. God didn’t have to make food taste good. He didn’t have to create beauty. He didn’t have to give us the ability to feel happiness or joy or pleasure... but He did.

Fourth, and finally, creation shows God’s wisdom. Who but God could have designed the eye? Who but God could have set the planets on their courses through the heavens? Who but God could have set the tides and currents in motion? There is such order and such wisdom to creation that God’s wisdom is unassailable.

I could go on. Creation reveals even more than this about God’s nature. But for now let me ask... when was the last time you looked up at a clear sky or out over a planted field and glorified God? Your worship shouldn’t be contained to the church sanctuary. If you will only open your eyes, you’ll find that there are more than enough reasons to praise God all around you. Don’t let all that creation reveals to us about who God is go to waste. Take it in and worship the Lord.

Big God

Nothing in this world makes my problems look smaller quicker than thinking about the greatness of God. When my gaze is lifted off the things of this world and I consider who He is, I am reminded of just how big God is. Compared to His greatness, my biggest problems are small potatoes. 

Recently this has brought me great comfort. I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated in life. I had been spending too much time contemplating the enormity of my "to do" list and not nearly enough time contemplating the enormity of God. My perspective had gotten locked in on the mundane frustrations of this world. I had become consumed by my need to succeed. I failed to see the glory of God all around me in creation, crying out for me to lift my eyes. I was locked in a very unhappy way of living. But when I dedicated myself to return to Bible study and prayer, God did a wonderful thing. He revealed Himself to me again through His Word and through prayer, and once again I was amazed at how big and wonderful God is. How could I have forgotten for all this time!?

Perhaps you are locked in a small way of thinking today too? Here are some passages of Scripture designed to lift your gaze and place it back on God.

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 113)

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 148)