Understand the creation, if you wish to know the Creator; if you will not know the former, either, be silent concerning the Creator, but believe in the Creator.

  - Columbanus, Sermon I (Irish, 7th century)

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

  - Psalm 145.5-7

I find the antiphonal structure of this psalm most appealing: The creation "speaks" and "sings" of the splendor and majesty of God, and the psalmist replies, declaring the greatness of the Lord.

Columbanus would say that you can't really know God as Creator, except as an article of faith, unless you are also a student of His creation. The works of God in creation are singing and shouting and telling His majesty, splendor, wisdom, wonder, and goodness at all times. But we are not responding.

We don't hear the music of creation, and so we can't enter into the song. Creation is singing the praise of the Creator with all its might. And we're tone deaf. Indifferent. Unwilling to learn the score and sing along.

Well, this is not a good situation, I think you'll agree. Perhaps this will be the year that you give creational theology a try? The world is a book of divine revelation, waiting to colorize our sterile black-and-white theology into a veritable Oz of spiritual understanding and intimacy with God.

We can know God as Creator by the fact that Scripture reveals Him as such. But we can know the Lord as Creator - really know and enjoy and be filled with Him - only when we engage the creation with interest, focus, curiosity, and patience, waiting on the Lord to discover to us the glory He has hidden there (Prov. 25.2).

The Bible is rich with invitations to look more carefully at the creation for what it can tell us about the Lord. Think of Solomon's Proverbs, the book of Ecclesiastes, the stories and parables of Jesus, even the book of Revelation. The world is calling to us, brothers and sisters, inviting us to join its song of praise to the Lord.

I hope you'll make a point to do so in the year ahead. And then drop me a line and tell me about your experience of engaging with the Lord through the witness of His works.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

ReVision - I can define life in three words. Are the scientists listening?

Resources for creational theology - Visit our bookstore and order a copy of Consider the Lilies: A Plea for Creational Theology. Here's a solid introduction to the whys and hows of this important spiritual discipline.

The Pastors' Fellowship - Send today's newsletter to your pastor and urge him to check out the newest series of The Pastors' Fellowship monthly webinars. We'll be considering the worldview embedded in the Law of God. No charge. Good fellowship. Just might learn something.

We appreciate your prayers and gifts very much. Thanks for sharing in this ministry with us.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.