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

  - Psalm 111.2, 3

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]

So here is Jesus, and He wants to speak reassuring words to His hearers about the steadfast love and faithfulness of God.

He wants them to know, in the midst of their oppression, poverty, alienation, sickness, uncertainty, and confusion, that God knows everything about them, understands all their needs, and is caring for them at every moment, in exhaustive detail.

So rather than give them definitions, syllogisms, and copious outlines of abstruse dogma, he tells them to consider a fallen sparrow, or to count the hairs on their heads. He points to a lily and suggests God will clothe them as well.

He appeals not to their reason, but to their experience and their imaginations. He gives them pictures and things from everyday life, not formulas or doctrines.

He opens the book, not of theology, but of creation.

The beauty of such teaching is that it can create an “Ah hah!” 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, or a lovely flower is plucked.

The things of creation have 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 to those things that 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 under foot as the grass you tread on 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.

If you have not taken up this “creational theology” approach to knowing the Lord, you don’t know what you’re missing. Wonders await you where God’s glory beckons.

Yes, it’s work; you’ll have to learn how to read the book of creation. But once you do, the delight you experience will bring you back again and again.

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 their 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.

Learn to Read – Creation!
Creational theology provides insights to God and His will that can bring us closer to the Lord every single day. By learning to read the book of creation we can find ourselves traveling in a continuous classroom of glory, beauty, wisdom, wonder, and grace. I wrote Consider the Lilies as an introduction to creational theology, a simple handbook explaining why this discipline matters and how we can begin to practice it. You can order a copy of Consider the Liliesfrom our online store.

Happy reading!

For prayer
One of the courses we’re preparing for this fall is Introduction to Creational Theology. In this course you’ll discover the what, why, and how of creational theology so that you can incorporate this delightful discipline into your own walk with the Lord. Pray for Susie and me as we work to finish up the materials for this course.

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