Psalm 19:1-6
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.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
How true that is. All of creation sings God's praises. It proves he exists and it shows his character. God is most praised when his character is understood and praised. Creation glorifies God because he created it, he sustains it and he makes it continue.
God created the universe. Every atom, every cell, every piece of grass, every tree. Every human. God created it all. He is worthy of all praise! We should praise him for his marvellous creation, for his awesome deeds. We should see it and rejoice in the God who made it, and who made it for us to enjoy. Even though we have sinned and creation is corrupted, it is still beautiful, it is still declaring God's glory.
How does creation declare God's glory?
I had a thought about this once. I don't know if it's worthwhile, but everything is made up of atoms right? And, unless they're at absolute 0, they are all vibrating. Music is made up of vibrations at different frequencies. Therefore all of creation is in a way making music. Though we can't hear it, all of creation truly is praising God, making music to him.
If you have some time then take a look at this video by Louie Giglio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWKm-LZWm4. It's pretty cool that creation does make noise, and to consider that it is declaring God's praises.
How does this apply to us?
It's all good and well to consider these things and to dwell on them, but they also have to be a direct challenge to us don't they? All of creation praises God. God created us as well. Yet there are so many people out there who don't even acknowledge God's existence. Who deny that he created, who refuse to praise him. There are also many who say God exists, but worship a false god, or simply refuse to worship the true God.
Here's the challenge: is that you? All of creation is praising God, declaring his glory. Are you? Do you believe the gospel? That we are all sinners, From Adam and Eve to us. That every person on earth is naturally living in rebellion to God because of our sin. Do you believe that Jesus, who is God, came to earth, suffered and died in the place of his people. He took our sins and God's completely just wrath for our sins so that whoever turns to him in repentance and faith will be completely forgiven? He also rose again, proving that he had dealt with our sins and proving that we can be totally forgiven. Proving that those who trust in him will also rise to eternal life in heaven. Do you believe that gospel?
The challenge for those to do is simple: Do you declare God's praises? Do your ell people the gospel? Do you take time out to just pray and to thank God for his wonderful mercies? Even if you can't think of anything else to praise God for, you can praise him for the salvation and forgiveness we have in Jesus and for his awesome creation. That's enough to praise God for eternity - start now!
I love this quote from Paul Washer, and it kind of ties in to these two points of application.
"Imagine this for a moment. God stands there on the day of creation and he tells planets to put themselves in certain orbits in space and they all bow down and say amen and obey him. He tells stars to find their place in the sky and to follow his decree to the letter and they all bow down and obey him. He tells mountains to be lifted up and valleys to be cast down and they bow down in worship. He tells the brave sea, “You will come to this point and you will come no further,” and the sea adores. And yet God tells you to come and you go, “No.”
How wicked is our sin. And if it were only an act it would be terrible enough, but sin goes much deeper in the heart of a man. A man does not simply commit sin. A man is born in sin, vile and corrupt from the beginning.
Do you refuse to worship God? Do you refuse to submit to him and put your faith in Christ? All of creation praises him, all of creation submits to him, do you?
If the answer is no, and you continue to rebel then the result is hell. If the answer is no, but you turn to him then there is complete forgiveness and mercy. Jesus saves! If the answer is yes, then Praise God and never stop!
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