The Heavens Bear Witness by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1912

The Heavens Bear Witness

By C. M. S.

MEN may seek by every subterfuge of subtle reasoning to prove the non-existence of God. But God has his witnesses in the heavens, the work of his hands. The critics of the Word of God, for instance, are stumbling over a dead fish, — not a whale, for Inspiration does not call it so,— and of their own doubts are forming weapons with which to attack the citadel of God's truth.

That criticism of the Word of God which seeks to take away its vitality and its inspiration, and every claim it has to being the light of the world,— that criticism is filling the pulpits of a multitude of churches to-day with a Christless gospel, a Spiritless Bible, and a Godless creation. The acceptance of those theories is shriveling the spirituality of the churches as an early frost sears the autumn leaf; it is drying up the fountain of missionary contributions; it is taking the love of the foreign mission work out of the hearts of the people; and as a result of this, the desire of worship in the human heart is expressing itself in self-worship and the worship of gold. It is stealing away the faith of the people as the stealthy thief deprives the thoughtless householder of his jewels and his wealth. When he awakes, they are gone. He had them, now they are not.

But in every part of the universe God has his witnesses, and they are testifying to his existence, his power, his wisdom, his care, and his undying love. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard.” Ps. 19: 1-3.

All the creations of God are bearing witness of him — in their own language, it is true, but speaking in a voice that can be heard by all, and in a language which all who will may understand. The stars that twinkle to us through infinite space are telling us of the wisdom and power of him who made them and gave to each its orbit and the glory of its radiance, and set a bound for its habitation which it might never pass. The mind may think out into space until it reaches the faintest star that glitters into our view; think out into the great depths through which the radiance of mighty suns wearies in its flight, and sinks just as its trembling waves have touched the shore of our vision; think out and out, till thought itself, like a fledgling sparrow, flutters and falls in the impossible purpose; and still we are in the workshop of the Almighty, whose works are sounding the praises of the common Maker. The great audience-chamber of the Infinite is peopled with his witnesses. In the presence of such a concourse, presumptuous indeed is the human atom that comes to the bar of eternity to present his little brief upon the non-existence of him by, and in, and through whom all these consist.

Truly, it is wisdom's voice which says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” His works are his witnesses. Let us become more familiar with the testimony they are bearing for our benefit.

In the midst of the jangle of voices that are seeking to cast discredit upon the Word of God, it is our privilege to know in our heart of hearts that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. C. M. S.