He Speaks to Me Everywhere (1)

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19.1-4

Revelation in creation
Christians insist that the Bible is the Word of God, that it reveals Him and His will, and can, as the Spirit of God employs it, equip those who believe in Jesus for lives of good works (2 Tim. 3.15-17). All Scripture is inspired of God, and therefore everything Scripture teaches should inform and nurture our walk with and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.

One overlooked teaching of Scripture is that the Bible is not the only source of revelation about God and His will. The Bible explains that the world of creation bears witness to God, and teaches us how to think about Him and His purposes (cf. Acts 14.17; Ps. 145.1-11). The Scriptures are the great light of divine revelation, but the creation is a lesser light, no less important or rewarding when rightly understood in the light of Christ and His Word (Ps. 36.9).

In the beloved hymn “This is My Father’s World” Maltbie B. Babcock celebrates the revelation of God that confronts us throughout the creation. The rocks and trees, skies and seas, birds, sun, lilies, and even the rustling grass declare the presence, beauty, order, and wisdom of God, ultimately pointing to the supreme manifestation of the love of God in Jesus Christ, and calling us to wonder, worship, and witness.

The world and everything in it declares the glory of God! But though God is speaking – pouring forth speech through all the earth, according to the psalmist (vv. 2, 4) – most of us have never learned how to listen, or how to observe the workings of God as He upholds the cosmos and everything in it by His Word of power (Heb. 1.13).

Are we paying attention?
God is revealing Himself in the things He has made, but few people are listening (Rom. 1.18-21).

The creation is a vast book of revelation, in which there is much to learn about the Lord and His plan. Here is a rich resource of divine insight and wisdom which, could we learn to read it, like we read the Scriptures, we would find our walk with the Lord greatly enriched.

The creation in its natural setting is not alone as a source of divine revelation. The cultural works of people also show forth the glory of God. The Scriptures teach that God is the Giver of every good and perfect cultural gift, and He delights to inhabit even the cultural products of those who count themselves His enemies (Jms. 1.17; Ps. 68.18), for bearing witness to Himself and making His glory known.

We are surrounded every day by illuminating missives from the heavenly throne, calling us to pause, reflect, encounter the glory of the Lord, and be transformed into the image of Christ.

The discipline of learning to “read” the revelation of God in creation and culture can be referred to as creational theology. It presents a vast field of endeavor and should be part, in some measure, of every believer’s regimen of spiritual disciplines. God is glorified by revealing Himself in the things He has made; we may experience and celebrate that glory as we look and listen for it through the disciplines of creational theology (Prov. 25.2).

Creational theology
By understanding and applying ourselves to six practices, we can make creational theology a part of our everyday walk with the Lord, to know the presence, promise, and power of the Lord flashing forth and oozing around us. Because the Lord speaks to us everywhere, He is always inviting us to begin the process of drawing close to Him, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Glimpses of glory and insights of intimacy await us through the revelation of God in creation, but we must be willing to embrace those practices which can give us access to the hidden things of the Lord.

Those who practice the discipline of creational theology find that they more aware of and in communion with the Lord throughout the day. Further, their reading of Scripture is enriched by the experiences, gained from the world of creation and culture, they bring into their daily devotions and meditations. We need not deprive ourselves of the rich bounty of divine revelation that beckons us throughout the day. By taking up the practice of creational theology, we can know the wonder and glory of God more intimately and consistently, as He speaks to us everywhere, in the wordless voices of creation.

For reflection
1.  What does the Scripture mean by saying that God reveals Himself in creation? What should we expect to glimpse of God by studying creation more carefully?

2.  Meditate on Psalm 111.2. Why do you suppose more Christians don’t “have pleasure” in the works of God? If we did, do you think we would study the creation more carefully, and with more benefit? Explain.

3.  The Bible is God’s clearest and most comprehensive Word to us, while creation is supplemental and reinforcing. Do you think your appreciation of Scripture would be enhanced by a more careful consideration of the revelation of God in creation? Explain.

Next steps – Preparation: Get a journal or a few 3x5 cards to use for the duration of this brief introductory study. Keep these with you, so that you can jot down observations and reflections. Tell a Christian friend what you’re doing, and ask your friend to pray for you for the next week.

For a fuller study of the disciplines of creational theology, order the book, Consider the Lilies: A Plea for Creational Theology, from our online store (click here). The glory of God is always at hand, if we know how to discern, enter, and express it. Our booklet, Christians on the Front Lines of the Culture Wars, can help you learn to recognize the glory of God, and to glorify Him in even the most everyday details of your life. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.