God is good

From the very first chapter of the Bible, we learn that this one true God is immensely powerful and incredibly good.   Over the course of 6 days God spoke bringing light, heaven, land, sea, vegetation, sun moon, stars, and every living thing into existence.   The universe, the work of his hands, displayed his power, wisdom and understanding (Jer 10:12).  The creation of the universe reveals the infinite power and might of God!

But Genesis 1 reveals not only is this God powerful but also good.   In Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and 31 we are told that all God made was good.   In the final evaluation of all creation, it is stated in verse 31 that, “God saw everything he had made and behold it was very good.”  God’s work was not marked by flaws and errors.   He didn’t need to return to the drawing board.   As master creator of the universe, the orbits of the planets to the buzz of the humming bird’s wings were right and good.   This grand canvas of God’s work, far greater than the work of any human carpenter or contractor, was untainted by any bad.  The world as God originally created it was good and perfect. The original creation displays the good character of God.   The remainder of Scripture, especially the Psalms, testify of the goodness of God.  Psalm 100:5, For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.  In the character of God He is good and not bad.   He is characterized by what is right and true. In Psalm 119:68 we see the precious truth of God’s goodness in both character and action. Psalm 119:68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.  God’s actions of goodness are not simply a show.   God is in His very person good. As He is good, goodness comes out!  Here we also see a response to the goodness of God. Because God is good we ought to be taught of Him!  We ought to respond humbly and dependently to God.  In Psalm 106:1 we see further response to the goodness of God. Psalm 106:1, Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.   God is deserving of our praise and thanks because He is good!  God is powerful and God is good! May He be praised!

Creator and Lord

John 1:3 declares; “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”  The entirety of the universe and everything in it was made by God.  Yet God did not make everything to then just sit back and watch the show.   God did not create the universe and then depart for vacation and allow the universe to continue on its own uncharted, unguided course.  God exists as Creator and also Sovereign Lord.   God made all things and as Creator maintains authority over the creation.   The Creator has authority over the creation like the potter has authority over the clay (Isaiah 29:16).

We see this relationship of Creator and Lord in the earliest days of the world. In Genesis 1 Moses declares the creation of the world by God.  In verses 26-27 the final creation that we see is man as God’s crowning work.  Upon directly creating man, we can read and see God’s commands to his created people.

    Genesis 1:28, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Adam and Eve were commanded to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.   Immediately we see in Genesis the undeniable reality of God’s authority over his creation.  He is Creator and thus Lord.

We see this direct connection of Creator and Lord also in Acts 17, as Paul declares the nature of the one true living God.   

Acts 17:23-24, Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Paul clearly declares God is both Creator of all and Lord over all.  There is nothing that He has not made, and there is nothing that escaped His Lordship.  He is Lord over all.

Beautiful Utah

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Utah is a beautiful place to live.  Its landscape varies from alpine forests to desert plateaus, from lofty mountains to canyon gorges.  It enjoys distinct beautiful seasons each year. Utah boasts the greatest snow on earth, yet has miles of golden sand during its summer. The wildlife is likewise just as diverse hosting antelope and elk, bald eagles and sea gulls, and mountain lions and bears. Utah is a diverse and marvelous place that many enjoy.  People come from around the world and the US to enjoy the phenomenal skiing and national parks.   Other people choose to call it home and enjoy it all year round.  Many enjoy the outdoors through recreational activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, driving, or flying.   Yet often, for all the time, energy, and cost to enjoy Utah’s wild lands most give no notice or thought to its creator.   The created world is not simply a theme park for humanity, but points to God as creator.

Psalm 19:1 reads, The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

The beauty and splendor of the stars on a moonless night points to the majesty of God.  Admiration at the stars should result in admiration of God the creator.

Romans 1:20a reads, For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,

Romans 1 likewise teaches that the visible created world points to God.   The visible creation expresses truths about the invisible God, namely his eternal power and Godhead.    As the sun rises and sets with its brilliant display of light, it testifies to the great and mighty God.   The mighty aged mountains attest to the everlasting powerful God.  Romans 1:21 teaches that one’s response to the magnificence of creation should be thanks and praise to God.  We should praise Him as the eternal powerful God.   Do you simply enjoy His creation, or do you give Him praise and thanks?