In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3 CSB)

And so it continues through six days of creation. God spoke, and it was. Everything that is, is, because of our Creator. Over the past few years I have found myself noticing all the wondrous cloud formations and the beautiful colors that are revealed as the sun begins to set. I do find myself filled with awe. It sort of takes one’s breath away–the wonder of it. This world did not create itself. That’s absurd! Nor did it just suddenly find itself to have come to be by chance. I still have a hard time believing that people really believe that. As Brad Olsen sang “Maybe I could understand how you called the darkness light / Maybe I could understand how you made the waters flee / Maybe I could understand how you gave all creation life / I’m an educated man / It’s not too hard for me to see” (“How Do You Do That” by The Waiting). (He goes on to say that the hard thing to understand is a holy God forgiving sinners like us! But that is for another devotional.)

Later after sunset, watching a full moon rise in the eastern sky takes me again before the throne of the One who gave us the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night (Gen. 3:16). The Holy Spirit inspired King David to explain this impression that overcomes us in Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands….Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world^l (Psalm 19:1, 4). There is an explanation for the wonder I sense. The Creator is behind this general revelation. But David reminds us of even better news, special revelation: The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise (v. 7).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for revealing your glory through the wondrous things you have made. Even more, thank you for your word, the Bible. Thank you for making yourself known to us and giving us the words of salvation through faith in our Redeemer, your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.