Majestic Beauty

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 ESV).

Our reading today so simply states the obvious. When God finished creating, “he saw everything, and behold, it was very good.” In my new “study/guest room” we have hung one of our favorite watercolors by Jim Gray. It is titled “Winter Sunset.” We acquired this painting many years ago on one of our trips to the Smoky Mountains. Gray is retired now, though he still maintains a gallery in Gatlinburg, where he lives. It is a reminder for me that God’s creation is indeed a wonder to behold. As we begin to move through this week and the end of this year, I think it will be encouraging to look at some of the wonders of God. I’m always amazed when I watch the Discovery Channel or a National Geographic special on an in-depth study of a place or an animal I’ve rarely seen, gaining insight about what makes them unique and how wonderful they are. Even though God is rarely, if ever mentioned on these shows, it causes my faith to be strengthened, for I’m reminded that God thought of every little detail in creating the universe. Everywhere you turn in creation, there’s evidence of intelligent design, the work of the Master Artist. When you see a great painting, DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, a piece by Van Gogh, or a scene of American life by Norman Rockwell, do you have more awe of the piece of art than of the artist? Not likely. Yet we do this all the time with God’s creation. And we miss the real message of God. The Scripture is so clear in declaring the ultimate reason why God created. The psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). I’ve often been asked how I can believe that earth is the only inhabited planet and man the only rational inhabitant among all the universe.” Well, the answer is easy for me. It’s not about us. It’s about God. And that’s an understatement. God created us to know him and love him and show him. And then he gave us a hint of what he is like. He is like the universe. When God created the world he did not create out of any need or any weakness or any deficiency. He created out of fullness and strength and complete sufficiency. Jonathon Edwards said, “Tis no argument of the emptiness or deficiency of a fountain that it is inclined to overflow.” So we don’t glorify God by improving his glory, but by seeing and savoring and showing his glory, which is the same as knowing, loving, and showing. We know this from our relationship with Him. As we approach the New Year, let the majestic beauty of God’s creation draw you into His arms!