Oh how we can take all of creation for granted sometimes. I find it hard to believe someone could look at something in nature and not think of God. He created all things. All of His attributes are displayed for us to see: creativeness, power, beauty, perfect timing. When we look at these things do we thank Him for creating them?
He is a sovereign God. Everything exists just because He is! We are having this knowledge seared into our hearts in our study on Revelation. It is a reminder of who holds the world in His hands, who is in control AND who we should look to in times of trouble, trusting in Him alone. These are a few sentences from our study through Bible Fellowship Study, Lesson 10:
As Creator, God is worthy of all glory, honor and power. God's sovereign rule and creative work are inseparable. Because God made this world, He is sovereign over it. No human government or kingdom could ever rival that claim. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all creation. He established the universe; He holds it together; and He will bring it to consummation according to His purposes. (Psalm 33:3-9, 136:4-9; Ephesians 1:9-10)
It goes on to remind us of the totality of God. He was, is and is to come. He has always been and will always be. He is eternal. Who else can make that claim? We have a beginning and an end. Plants, trees and animals have beginnings and ends. But in Christ we become eternal. Eternal.
Why not want to know this God? Why be afraid of Him or His sovereignty? He makes one realize the inferiority of one's self. Being human some can't stand that. I have finally found the comfort in knowing there is One greater who holds my life in His hands, who cares so much, shows me daily, even just through nature, but not solely, who He is. So how can we sometimes fail to see it? I
There isn't a day I don't recognize Him. Maybe it's why I take so many photos. It's like wanting to cling to the things He has created. It's kind of silly. I will still wake up tomorrow and His creation will still be there. But for me every time I look I see something different. It's like seeing a new side to Him. It's absolutely endless. (This goes for His Word too!)
This is what He does. It's who He is. He longs for everyone to see, know, recognize, worship and submit to Him. Like we (sometimes) admire and respect others for something they have done (especially those who have done something worthwhile, like veterans) we should be doing the same for God. He is, after all, greater than all people.
Here are just a few more words from our lesson:
Everything exists in heaven and on earth because God made it; everything continues to exist because of God's sustaining provision. ...Throughout history, mankind's refusal to recognize God as Creator and Sustainer reveals a deliberate Declaration of Independence and self-rule. This song [Revelation 4:11 above] of creation intentionally assaults opposing views by showing God orders every detail in the world He has created.
How do I convey the idea that He is to be worshiped and received, that He is holy and sovereign over all, even over you? Think this world is in trouble? He's still sovereign. He knows. Fearful about it? He's sovereign. He knows. Afraid to give in to Him? He's still sovereign. He knows. One day every knee will bow before Him. All on earth will see His sovereignty. I so look forward to that day.
There are times when I long to feel with much emotion. I have to remind myself, or maybe He is, that it's not just about an emotional feeling. He may be appreciative of just these words I write because they come from a heart who wishes others could share the excitement, the thoughts and sometimes excitement, I have for God.
We have a God who loves us and wants us to know Him. Not in our heads but in our hearts. We just don't get how much. And when we turn away from Him and give no credit to Him or do not acknowledge Him daily, He is grieved. He created us way back in Genesis for His good pleasure. And we turn our backs on Him to suit our own lifestyles.
We've all been rejected by someone. We've all been hurt by someone. How have we responded? Have we put up walls around our hearts vowing never again to let anyone hurt us? Have we kept everyone, even those closest to us, at arm's length so if they, in their human weakness hurt us, we will not let it bother us? Yet it still does. In turn we can treat God the same way. Don't let Him near; He may turn on me too. NOT!
We have a God who is greater than all those hurts who wants to heal us of them. But we have to turn to Him, not run from Him. I don't get running from Him. I did it and looking back I don't know why I did. I think it's that self-righteousness we carry. Or maybe a fear that He couldn't love me. Or who needs Him? We want what we want. We don't want to have to rethink or relearn our lives. We don't want to know how wrong we've been.
It's not so hard to look to Him. He gives us grace to make mistakes and balk sometimes at the changes He wants to make. He's only trying to improve us, not rip us apart. He disciplines out of love. He sanctifies us. He gives us His righteousness. Foreign words? Think you're good enough as you are? Without the Lord, you are nothing! A hard word? Yes. But it's biblical. Turn to Him and He'll cause you to think differently and it won't hurt. It's why Jesus says, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
God is amazing. Our future will be in His hands no matter what we decide. It's beneficial, though, to be on His side. I coined a phrase years ago when I began to suspect God was trying to get us to get the world's attention: Something's brewing in God's atmosphere. It truly is. We see it daily. Who would have guessed five years ago we'd be where we are today? How about just the past few months? If we have received and know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we have nothing to fear. It won't always be easy, but you'll be secure. Have you confessed Him? Have you allowed Him access to your heart and do you learn about Him...on your own, letting the truth of God's Word permeate you? Do you meditate on Him? Do you even think of Him......
We cling to things in this world and they become idols. They become our lives. God wants to become our life. He alone is worthy of our praise and attention. None of these idols have an eternal purpose, but He does. While there are scriptures of admonition, there are also scriptures of peace, love, hope and assurance. He asks us to search for Him who offers eternal life in Christ. But it means letting go of the things that hinder us from knowing Him. What keeps you from seeking Him? You know there's something!
Acts 14:15 - ...“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them...”
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