The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psalms 19:1-2)
Thank you for reviewing the Discipline of Bible Study over the last 4 days. As a quick reminder, during our 40 Days of Discipline journey we will reserve Fridays to focus on a selected Discipline for just one day. Today we focus on Creation. If you need to refresh your memory on what this Discipline is about remember that you can go to the Disciplines tab at www.40daysofdiscipline.com.
There are so many beautiful passages of scripture that speak about God’s creation. The passage of scripture from Psalm 19:1-2 (captured above) is a great example. Often though, we don’t take the time to see God in creation in the way that David did.
In the same way that we examined the Discipline of Bible Study through the lens of love, let’s examine the Discipline of Creation through the lens of love by examining Luke 12:25-30:
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Please prayerfully consider this passage and respond to today’s questions.
Today’s Questions for comments:
- In what ways does the passage establish a link between creation and God’s love for us?
- What aspects of creation speaks most powerfully to you about God?
Tomorrow (Saturday) will be dedicated to reviewing what we have learned this week.
February 27, 2015 at 8:09 am
One of the greatest act of love towards someone is to share the word of God with them, making them aware that there is a God and therefore there is a need to evaluate your relationship with him. In light of this, as i consider the passage today and also reflect upon the Psalm 19 passage i see God as the eternal evangelist. From the beginning of creation he has not ceased to ensure that every one of us is aware of his existence. He spoke creation into existence and since then creation has spoken and continues to speak of his existence (Romans 1:20). Though I oftentimes forget when things get a bit more stressful than normal the Luke passage reminds me that he is always present and he faithfully takes care of his own.
I am continually amazed by the behavior of animals (methods of communication; survival techniques, etc) and their beauty.
February 27, 2015 at 10:12 am
God shows us His love for His creation through His care and provision for them but He also cares for us and tells us the we are more valuable to Him than they (Luke 12: 24), so how can we not love Him?
As Cuaco says the animals, especially your pets, their unconditional love for you and my greatest feelings of nearness and His presence is when I am on the sea.
February 27, 2015 at 10:58 am
In what ways does the passage establish a link between creation and God’s love for us?
I think of this sentence”28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ” as it characterises us as a creation, like flowers or grass of the field. If God takes such care of flowers which last only a day or two, how much more care will He take with me? The passage also goes as far as saying that God knows what I need. “30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.” In Christ, my faith must remind me that I need not clutch for what I need, but instead understand that if I am doing what God has called me to, then my needs are accounted for in His instruction.
February 27, 2015 at 2:54 pm
The passage tells us GOD creates it – GOD loves it – GOD takes care of it. Scripture tells us HE ensures that the animals have what they need day by day. HE provides for their needs – HE has equipped them with defense and coping mechanisms, beauty, grace and power. I was stunned when I read this – I never knew GOD cared for the day to day existence of animals. My mind reels with the possibilities this holds for us humans!
When I extrapolate this standard of loving care of animals to humans – who the WORD clearly states are of higher estate than animals – I am completely demolished. My mind cannot grasp it, it cannot contain its meaning – reasoning does not do it – my thoughts can only reach so high, but then it dissipates like a bubble in the glare of the sun – not being able to soar to the heights it needs to go to grasp the LOVE of a Creator throughly ENGROSSED with HIS creations.
For me, the birds speaks volumes about GOD. I often watch them in flight, how they flap their wings or sail through the air, sometimes in pairs, groups or solitary. I listen to them chirp and I am reminded they know who their Creator is. They nest and arise at the appointed hour … they most certainly do not hurry. GOD has a system – even the birds know IT.
February 27, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Regarding the first question, God makes it clear that His creation, made with so much care, will be provided for us. It is like a parent-child relationship, where the parent provides what the child needs to be healthy and thrive. When we put our trust in the Lord, we realize that we need not stress because He has already anticipated our needs and will supply. This is one of the many ways He shows His love for us, through the love He put into creation.
When I go for walks and see nature, whether it be a sunrise, flowers, or a lake, it never fails to remind me of how awesome God is for creating such beauty for us to see and experience.
February 27, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Also, how powerful is that -that God put so much thought and attention into “grass of the field,” so small and inconsequential compared to other things. To think of how much more He tends to us! That part of the passage was great!
February 27, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Thanks again for all the uplifting comments! Having read them, I couldn’t help but sing an old hymn. I’ll share two verses and the chorus:
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour 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
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
February 27, 2015 at 9:44 pm
God created all things and cares for them. He created the grass of the fields and cares for it and created us and cares for us. When I see the sunrise or set I am reminded of God and His creativity. He is bigger than anything I can imagine and longs for me to enjoy all His hands have made.
February 27, 2015 at 11:19 pm
As human beings, we all would like to live a problem free life. i will be very happy if there are no problems, of better yet, solve all problem by pushing a button ( 1 second). BUT there is an overflowing joy when i remember that my problems have already been solved. I JUST need to focus on GOD (Alpha and Omega) who has already made provision for me.
While walking early in the morning, i cannot escape the marvelous creation in front of me. One recurrent thought that is etched on my mind is that i will not have this view all of my life, so i don’t take this for granted. I learn to cherish these moments. After walking i am re-energized knowing that i can leave the timing for solving problems in the hands of God.
Walking for me is my personal connection with GOD. When my mind is focused on God, all problems seem small.
February 28, 2015 at 2:48 pm
I am having great difficulty putting my thoughts into words but here goes. When I experience nature at it’s best, it is as if times stops, nothing else exists, the fallen world seems far away and I am overwhelmed by something so much greater than myself. I feel completely secure and that all is exactly as it should be. I imagine that this is what it feels like to be enveloped in God’s love, a love that is unfathomable for me to begin to understand because it has been so sullied in this world by the fall. I love watching nature shows as they reveal the most incredible, mind boggling details of the Eco system that God and only God could come up with!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to ponder my way through this. Words seem totally inadequate!