GOD’S DESIGNS by W. H. B. Miller

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 25, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 46.

GOD’S DESIGNS.

By W. H. B. Miller

WHEREVER design exists, discriminating thought has been exercised, and in proportion as the conception and its performance are more or less beautiful and perfect, the power of the mind that conceived, and the skill of the hands that executed, are manifested. Human designs never reach perfection, because the human mind is imperfect. Yet many wonderful devises and works have been accomplished, and we instinctively associate these achievements with a high standard of thought. We honor men who are able to perform such deeds, imperfect tho they may be; we extol their ability and magnify their power.

But, after all, these thoughtful persons have merely discovered a new combination of created objects or forces which were, in their creation, so designed that union might be thus beautifully effected; and the closer we look into this human invention the more defects we discover in the design. But, on the contrary, as we minutely examine the forces or materials which have been used, we are filled with admiration at their faultlessness and beauty. The most powerful microscope only reveals greater marvels of perfection.

While all men agree that the former imperfect achievement is the result of advanced thought, many claim to believe that the perfect workmanship of the latter is but the fortunate outcome of chance and evolution. The designs of nature, they say, have just happened so.

Let us seek a parallel. Suppose some one were to claim that a certain beautiful oil painting, representing sunshine and shadow, distance and foreground, pathos and life, was produced by promiscuously throwing a lot of different colors on the canvas, who would credit it? How many times would it be necessary to turn back and forth a mixed case of printers’ type before it would form itself into a beautiful poem?

How long must we mix together a parcel of wheels and springs and screws before they will happen to form themselves into a perfectly-regulated watch? But these are faulty parallels, because in each instance the materials are provided, and also a power to persistently change their positions till the desired results are obtained; while nature’s pictures and poems and mechanisms have sprung into beautiful and perfect existence from nothing, and this, too, it is claimed, without any controlling power.

God’s children see in nature the matchless designs of the great Creator. With infinite mind he stamps perfection on all his handiwork. With boundless wisdom all creation is designed for the good of his creatures, the glory of his name. “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number.” Is this a result of chance? God “calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might.” Examine the mighty constellations and systems of the universe. Are these designs defective? On the contrary, the closest observation of our ablest scientists, with the most modern appliances at their command, reveals the fact that perfect order prevails throughout the whole of God’s universe. Indeed, so accurate are the movements of the great bodies, that for thousands of years in the future their precise location in the heavens can be positively stated, to a moment of time. One writer speaks of the universe as “God’s great timepiece.” All glory and honor and majesty to the great Creator who “stretcheth forth the heavens alone.” What human intelligence can criticise this great design?

Not less wonderful are the divine designs on earth. Man is the masterpiece. God’s glory is seen in him. He is the central figure of the great design “nature,” with which everything created has been made to beautifully harmonize. His eyes are formed to desire to behold things of beauty, and the earth has been clothed with lovely colors so harmoniously combined and contrasted that this created desire can be fully satisfied. His ears have been tuned to love harmonious sounds, and power to gratify this desire has been given to the voice. He loves to hear the songs of the birds, the sweet strains of musical instruments, the soft sounds of nature’s trees and streams. So throughout the entire design, we will find perfection. Health-giving fragrance has been added to the beauty of the flowers and trees. Food with life-sustaining properties has been bountifully provided, an unlimited diversity of flavor and odor having been added to create relish and enjoyment in partaking of the necessary nourishment.

Is this all chance, or do we again discern evidences that a mighty intelligence has been working? As we realize the great wisdom of God, surely we feel like exclaiming with David, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.”

As we fix our eyes more intently on God’s great creation, we can discern design within design, perfection within perfection, beauty within beauty. An independent existence can not be discovered. Each atom forms a part of some great design. As we search we wonder more and more, and as we see God in his creations, we involuntarily love him, for we discern countless manifestations of his love and perfection and mercy at every step. Thus we become acquainted with him, and, knowing him, desire with all our hearts to worship him.

Again a God-given desire can be fully gratified; we can worship him. We are invited to enter “boldly” into the presence of the great Creator, for the way has been divinely prepared.

And now our eyes are dazzled with a resplendent glory, the marvelous “design of salvation!” W. H. B. MILLER.

Melbourne, Victoria.