With grace the King of mysteries has revealed to us every wonder, that through them we may understand him – a bright protection – and through the multitude of his miracles.

  - Saltair na Rann, Irish, 9th-10th century[1]

The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who delight in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And his righteousness endures forever.

  - Psalm 111.2, 3

Jesus often spoke reassuring words to His hearers about the steadfast love and faithfulness of God.

He wanted them to know, amid their oppression, poverty, alienation, sickness, uncertainty, and confusion, that God knew everything about them, understood all their needs, and was caring for them at every moment, in exhaustive detail.

Rather than give them definitions, syllogisms, copious outlines of abstruse dogma, or hour-long harangues from the Bible, Jesus told them to consider a fallen sparrow, or to count the hairs on their heads. He pointed to a lily and indicated God would clothe them as well.

He appealed not to their reason, but to their experience and their imaginations. He gave them insights into the goodness, glory, and Presence of God from everyday life. The familiar world around them was at all times reassuring them of God’s love and care for them.

Jesus opened the book, not of theology, but of creation.

The beauty of such teaching is that it can create an “Aha!” experience in the learner, and that experience, and the understanding that comes with it, can be brought back quickly when, beyond the classroom, sparrows are observed, hair is combed, a lovely flower is plucked, or a fisherman hauls in a catch with his net.

The creation has much to tell us about God – His nature, character, wisdom, goodness, might, beauty, and will. The book of creation is genuine self-revelation of God, a worldwide, never-closing theater of His glory, where all who delight in the works of the Lord can pursue knowing Him better and enjoying Him more, day after day.

But if we’re too busy, or if we prefer, in our available moments and hours, those things that merely divert or entertain us rather than those that can stretch and improve us, we may miss the point of God’s splendor and majesty as the creation reveals them.

Creation is as close as your front yard, as near as the farthest evening stars, as underfoot as the grass you tread while you mow, as insistent as the air you breathe and the light of the sun. Every day the works of the Lord cry out His glory and invite thoughtful, prayerful meditation on what He would have us to know about Himself.

Knowing God through creation is the discipline of creational theology. With Scripture as your foundation and guide, you can see God’s glory and discern His Pressence in the world around you, so that your experience of Him is heightened and becomes more constant. The time and effort you invest in discerning the glory of God in creation will be richly repaid in delight, reassurance, and a greater awareness of the Lord’s Presence with you.

If you have not taken up this “creational theology” approach to knowing the Lord, opening the book of creation to consider its wonders, you don’t know what you’re missing. Joy and rejoicing await you where God’s glory beckons.

The psalmist was correct: Studying the works of God in creation can bring great delight, and can be of great use in helping us to grow in love for our Creator.

For Reflection
1. Have you ever experienced the Presence of God and His glory in creation? What was that like?

2. You don’t have to go far to open the book of creation. What aspects of creation are available to you today, to guide you into the Presence of the Lord?

Psalm 111.1-3 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Praise the Lord! O let my heart give thanks here amid His chosen race!
Your works are great, O Lord, and sought by all who know Your grace.

For Your work is full of splendor, Lord, and of majesty most pure;
Your righteousness, O glorious God, forever will endure!

Lord, give me a desire to learn about Your works, so that I might see you in all Your glory. Help me today to…

Creational Theology: Four Free Resources (and one more)
We want to help you in learning to know the Lord through His works of creation. Bruce Van Patter’s 8:18 column offers practical experience in learning to look. Our book, Consider the Lilies, offers a thorough introduction to creational theology, and our book Ray of Sun shows you how even a single aspect of creation can stretch your experience of God. Finally, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and request a copy of our handbook on creational theology, The Secrets of the World. All these resources are free, and they can all help you embark on a new adventure of knowing the Presence of the Lord. And if you have not yet checked out our weekly podcast, The InVerse Theology Project, you’re missing an opportunity (click here) to learn how creational theology works.

Thank You
We pray that, if Crosfigell ministers to you, you’ll consider sharing with us in the financial support of our ministry. If the Lord moves you to give, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

T. M. Moore
Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Carey, p. 108.