GOD'S WORKS IN NATURE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 19, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 32.

GOD'S WORKS IN NATURE.

IN an article in another column it is stated that all "God's works are the height of perfection." And this is unqualifiedly true; but there is danger sometimes, we fear, of attributing solely to God that which the great adversary has perverted. God causes the wind and the rain, the thunder and the lightning, but how much these beneficent agencies, which speak so continuously and eloquently of God's goodness, wisdom, and power, are marred because of sin or Satan's interference we know not. God permits Satan to control many things. The reason why and to what extent we may not always know, save this, God will not allow the power of Satan to destroy or injure one of those who trust in him. All things will work for the good of those who love God. Temporary ills, however, are brought by Satan. See Job 1:16, 18, 19; 2:7.

Again, in consequence of man's sin, we do not see God's works in the material universe as we would if man had never sinned. "For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it." Rom. 8:20, Revised Version. But the day hasteneth on apace when God's will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven; when his glory shall cover its renewed mountains and plains, hills and valleys, as the waters cover the sea; when no more terrifying tempests, devastating cyclones, desolating earthquakes, depopulating pestilences, or ravaging wars shall sweep the earth's fair face; "the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick; the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." For that time the very creation itself travails and groans, waiting for the revelation of Christ in his majesty and his sons in their glory. Then, and then only, will we see all God's works in their perfection unmarred by sin or Satan.

And yet this world, tainted as it is by the slime of the serpent, diseased as it is by sin, is beautiful. Something of its Edenic beauty and glory shine through the imperfections; and as we look at them through the story of the risen Christ, they seem to glow with new beauty, bearing less of the imperfection of sin than humanity at its best.

"The trees of earth seem more fair than ever As I think of the tree by the Heavenly River." And in communion with the God of nature— "Mountain and meadow and bird and tree Are the truest of all true things to me, But the half of their story is not yet told. "For if thou, O Framer of souls, hast made me Glad through thy works, as indeed thou hast, If this gladness and hope has ne'er betrayed me, But is stronger now than in bright days past, Hast thou not made me to understand A part of the joy of the promised land? And wilt thou not bring me there at last?"

And so will we rejoice in all God's works which he has wrought in Christ Jesus, in the things of nature, in the things of grace, knowing that the same power is pledged in our behalf for time and for eternity.