p. 5 | CREATION by W. H. B. Miller

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 1, 1899

CREATION.

By W. H. B. Miller

THIS word invariably calls to mind the first verse in the Scriptures: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This great manifestation of power is frequently used by God Himself to establish His omnipotent name. The true God alone can create.

When reading of the wonderful miracles performed in past ages by the prophets and later by the Son of God Himself, we sometimes feel that we have exercised much faith in accepting the statement that such things really occurred, and the same is true of the creation of the heavens and the earth in six days. Of course we believe because God's Word says so, and the apostle Paul says that by faith we "understand" these things, and "understand" means to "know." But how can all really know that these wonderful works were performed? For all will not accept the authority of God's Word. Let us take, for instance, the feeding of the great multitude with the few loaves and fishes. This is inconceivable, because miraculous; yet if the most skeptical saw the miracle performed, he thinks he would believe. Men have great faith in their own eyesight; and for ages scientists have been endeavoring, patronizingly, to harmonize some of the miracles with the workings of nature as they see them; but most of the divine records have been entirely rejected, because with their finite minds no parallel or natural reason could be discovered. But every work of nature is a miracle, and is equally skeptical and without parallel. We believe, not because we understand, but because we see; and we think we know because we see.

When we plant an apparently lifeless seed, and see the green speck appear above ground, quickly followed by leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit, we behold a present work of creation as marvelous as any recorded. When the passing clouds drop their refreshing showers, we behold another mighty miracle. When we study the glorious heavens, the work of God's hands, and watch the movements of mighty planets, we see God's upholding power. When we look at our own bodies, lo, God is momentarily creating in a wonderful manner! Altho our flesh and blood continually decay, returning to lifeless dust and invisible gases, the great Creator is almost as rapidly creating new life. Were it not for the death verdict passed because of sin, life measuring with the life of God would then be answered. This is our future confidence.

Eternal life is to many an inconceivable and therefore an impossible state; yet it is no more wonderful than our present existence. The God who can so miraculously sustain us now, can immortalize us then. We see all these things with natural eyes; faith will enable us to see God in them, for the great Creator's hand daily performs all the beautiful miracles of nature. Have we a purity of heart which enables us to "see God"? When we look at the flowers, do we see His love as well as His marvelous creative power? When we examine the divinest work of His hand, even with the most powerful microscope, do we see His perfection as well as His omnipotence? When we look at our wonderfully made and sustained bodies, do we see His mercy and long-suffering as well as His wisdom? If we do, by faith we can easily "understand" how the heavens and the earth were framed by His Word, and how even the laws of nature could be suspended or entirely changed by His great wisdom.

Let us constantly train our eyes to look for the King, to see His perfect character and His creating power in everything by which we are surrounded. By beholding we shall become changed; as we continually see Him, we shall become like Him; as we learn to love His creations, we shall desire to serve Him better; our faith will expand, our confidence will grow, and every vestige of doubt will quickly be dispelled. W. H. B. MILLER.