December 9
Bible Reading: Genesis 1
My heart resonates with the quote by A. W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” He also said, “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.” For the sake of both our worship and walk it is imperative that we respond to God according to how He has revealed Himself in His Word. For the rest of this month, our devotionals will focus on the attributes of God, and we will begin by considering a fundamental truth: God is our Creator.
The Bible begins with this powerful affirmation: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). From nothing, the self-existent God brought everything into being. Theologians describe this miraculous act of creation using the Latin term “ex nihilo,” meaning “out of nothing.” God created the universe, the stars, the sun, the moon, the sky, the seas, the land, all living creatures, and humanity itself. He simply spoke them into existence and called it all “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Since that moment, God’s “eternal power and divine nature” has been clear to all (Romans 1:20).
One of my favorite places is on the bank of the scenic North Umpqua River. After a mile-long hike through towering old-growth fir trees, I reach a stunning spot above a 30-foot drop where the river roars into a place called the Narrows. The sound of the rushing water, the beauty of the landscape, and the stillness of nature never fail to fill me with awe. On more than one occasion, I’ve found myself singing “How Great Thou Art” as I marvels at the grandeur of God’s handiwork. But you don’t need to travel to a special place to experience the wonder of creation. Wherever you are, you can look around and praise God for His incredible creation.
Take a moment to look around you. God created everything you see. If you are alive and breathing, give thanks! He created you as well. As the Psalmist declares, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Consider the magnitude of it all—those stars above are countless! The same God who created the vastness of the universe also crafted the tiniest particles in the heart of an atom. Scientists estimate there are over two million species of animals on Earth and over 300,000 species of flowering plants. All of this exists on a perfectly positioned blue planet—neither too hot nor too cold—revolving around the sun. The more we reflect on the wonders of God’s creation, the more we find to praise Him for.
The wonder of creation calls for us to worship our creator!
HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars; I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: [Refrain]
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. [Refrain]
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art! [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 