God's Hand Over the Newly Created EarthBible World
19:1Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The sky above with its sun, moon, stars, clouds and changing beauty makes known the glory, skill and greatness of God and shows His handiwork. Its testimony is silent and without words yet goes on continually day and night, speaking to eye and ear and inviting thought about the Maker. It reveals a living Creator, Supreme Ruler and Maker of all, whose infinite power, wisdom, majesty and exact order are written on everything from least to greatest. It also reveals His goodness, mercy, love and tender fatherly care in beauty, adaptation to human need and happiness, sunshine, rain, food and ten thousand unnoticed mercies. Nature is His created work and not Himself, and though marred by sin it still bears witness, calling for thankful worship, humility, teaching of the young from the open book of nature, and a study that will continue through eternity.
Heaven's Silent Witness
The heavens and the firmament are the sky above, including the sun, moon, stars, clouds and ever-changing sky, and they declare the glory of God and show His handiwork, skill and greatness. They are created works and appointed agencies, not God Himself, and their witness points to His power as Creator and to His continual work in upholding what He made. Their beauty and order reveal His work, wisdom, power, care and goodness to all the earth, from the heavens to the smallest growing flower, giving reasoning minds a conception of their Creator. Nature bears this witness faithfully when called to testify, unlike humanity which disobeys His laws, and the psalm thus binds His law to His created works.
That declaration is silent and wordless yet continual day and night, speaking without ceasing. God speaks through it to the human senses, eye and ear, so that the sky continually makes known His glory, skill, greatness and power. The green fields, lofty trees, buds and flowers, passing cloud, falling rain, babbling brook and glories of the heavens speak to the heart and invite acquaintance with Him who made them all. An open heart is impressed by the glory revealed through the works of His hands, the listening ear hears and understands His communications through nature, and the inspired soul recognizes His handiwork and is invited to meditation on the Maker and to diligent study of His wonderful works. This truth in nature lies too deep for human reason alone and, like precious ore hidden in a mine, must be worked for diligently and perseveringly.
The witness ranges from the vast heavens and starry depths to the smallest things, all testifying as His workmanship. Lofty mountains and granite rocks, the great and restless ocean, valleys, massive cleft rocks, towering mountains, stately and lofty trees, forests, spires of grass, plants, buds, flowers, streams, winter cold, summer heat and the changing recurring seasons in perfect order and harmony, together with thunder, birdsong, the colors of earth and sky, hills, living creatures, the exhaustless riches of sunlight, the solemn glories of the moon and the gems of light studding the heavens to make the night beautiful, display His glory, power, majesty, wisdom, knowledge, skill, care and love of beauty. From the greatest to the least, even to the simple leaf of the forest tree and the smallest shell, created things bear witness to their Creator.
Particular beauties of the sky display His greatness, including the sunrise, the moon, thunder, the beauty of sun, moon, stars and changing sky, and great clouds of stars like the nebula in Orion now seen in photographs. The shifting, changing colors of the setting sun in gold, silver and crimson are His own painting, more perfect than human art and its imperfect copies and paintings made in imitation, revealing His creative power, infinite love and power. That heaven-made picture is not to be turned from carelessly to admire or worship human art instead, but to be traced to God's hand, honored as the work of divine skill, and recognized as opened portals giving a glimpse of the glory within heaven. Those truly converted recognize this testimony and are led beyond the beauty to honor its divine Maker and praise Him with heart and voice.
Creator Revealed in Nature
The heavens declare a living Creator and Supreme Ruler, Former and Builder of all things, Caller of creation who formed the mountains and the wind, made the Pleiades and Orion, built the vaulted heavens and the earth, and calls and pours out the waters of the sea. The sky and the starry depths, with their great clouds of stars such as the nebula in Orion now seen in photographs, display the work of His hands and make His existence evident, so that to deny that there is a God is foolish and needs no proof from human reasoning. The world has lost the knowledge of God, and this continual declaration points to the need to bring that knowledge within everyone's reach through the senses, the attentive eye discerning it and the sanctified ear hearing and understanding it. Sunbeam, green fields, trees, clouds, dew, the solemn silence of the night, the moon in its beauty, and the starry heavens all testify to His power and glory and invite meditation upon the Maker, a lesson opened by daily searching of the Scriptures where every material thing becomes an object lesson.
The ordered universe shows exactitude beyond finite comprehension and reveals One infinite in power, wisdom, knowledge, majesty, greatness, and skill, whose name is written on everything from least to greatest. The heavens and the firmament testify to His glory and handiwork as created works that point to His power as Creator and to His continual work in upholding what He made. Even though sin has marred nature, its remaining beauty still reveals the handiwork of the great Master Artist, and in their original perfection created things expressed His thought and made nature rich in divine wisdom. What is seen today gives only a faint, dim, partial and imperfect conception of Eden's beauty and glory, yet much that is beautiful remains and still speaks of its Creator.
That beauty, delicate color, and fragrance show that He has not wholly withdrawn His mercy but continues to love humanity with goodness, mercy, love, and tender fatherly care. Hill, vale, river, and sea, the earth's varied landscapes, and its life-giving provisions are fully appreciated when seen as His gifts to humanity, expressing His love and His loving care. From the wonderful adaptation of natural things to human needs and happiness is learned that God still loves and that His mercy is still manifested to the world, in sunshine, rain, food, beauty, and ten thousand unnoticed mercies given even to the wicked and rebellious. The earth He created He filled with life and gladness, fitting it to human needs and happiness.
The works of creation reveal His character, glory, and thoughts of peace and goodness, making His character visible and helping people understand Him. Their beauty, order, and variety speak to the senses and hearts, revealing His love, power, and glory and inviting people to know their Maker, enter into communion with Him, and give Him reverence, gratitude, and worship. Read in the light of the cross, nature's message also speaks of His restorative love and desire to make His children happy. Learning from His works in this way begins in this life and continues throughout eternity.
Creation Distinct From Creator
The heavens and the firmament are created works and appointed agencies that testify to divine glory and handiwork, upholding power, character, love, and skill, but they are not God Himself. No one is authorized to say that God in person is in flower or leaf or tree, and the beautiful things of nature are His gift to show power and love, to be enjoyed for human happiness yet never worshiped. Their witness lifts the mind beyond created things to adore their Maker, pointing beyond what is made to a personal Creator, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made.
In Eden creation stood in undimmed brightness and perfection, full of knowledge of God and divine instruction and vocal with wisdom to eye and ear, with every operation fitted to human needs and happiness. After transgression brightness departed from the face of nature, and sin marred its form and beauty, defiled it, and left traces of the work of the prince of the power of the air. Yet the object-lessons are not obliterated, the witness is dim and partial but not silenced, and much that is beautiful remains with traces of original loveliness still pointing to the Creator. Even in its blighted state all things reveal the handiwork of the great Master Artist, and rightly studied and interpreted nature still speaks of her Creator, with flowers in delicate color and fragrance showing He still loves and has not wholly withdrawn mercy.
The marred world therefore bears a double testimony, revealing both God's character and the results of transgression of His law. In briars, thistles, thorns, tares, blight, decay, want, desolation, and perishing creatures is read the law of condemnation and judgment for refusing mercy and rejecting the voice in creation and in warnings, counsels, and reproofs. From remaining beauty, wonderful adaptation to human needs and happiness, order, rain and sunshine, food, harvests, and ten thousand unnoticed mercies given even to the wicked and rebellious is learned that God still loves and His mercy and long-suffering providence are still manifested. No bounty can be claimed as human property but is committed as a trust, and accountability remains to heed this testimony with grateful acknowledgment and a yielded heart rather than indifference and idolatry.
Because it is blighted and imperfect, nature cannot by itself give a perfect knowledge of God's moral character, personality, and moral perfection. Stars, ocean, and cataract cannot reveal Him, and the heavens and earth displaying power, wisdom, and love do not reveal personality as clearly as Christ does. A more powerful revelation than nature was needed, so God sent His Son to reveal so far as could be endured by human sight the nature and attributes of the invisible God, veiling dazzling splendor to live as a man among men that a fallen race without being consumed might become acquainted with their Creator and know His love. Christ, the Light of the world and source of wisdom, reveals the Father far more clearly, and the stars and whole expanse of heaven cannot outshine Him or rise above Him, nor can human learning and talents place their possessors above Him.
Law Sabbath Scripture Harmony
Frequent reading of the psalm makes plain how the Lord binds His law with His created works, for the heavens and firmament continually make known His glory and skill day and night and call for beholding the heavens and striving to understand His wonderful works. The eyes of the senses are to be opened to take in His beautiful things, and the lessons taught by heaven and firmament are to be committed to memory. Rightly studied and interpreted, nature teaches obedience to the Creator's will and to His divine laws, both natural and moral, whose keeping brings life and happiness in this world and in the world to come. Older students, while acquiring human arts and learning, are therefore to seek His wisdom and learn those laws from the ever-varying scenes of the recurring seasons, which continually display His glory, power and love and bring lessons of wisdom and gifts of healing for all. Wild mountains, towering rocks and everlasting hills stand as mute representatives of His power, with the Creator's name written everywhere in them, declaring His greatness, majesty, power, presence and overshadowing glory in contrast to the insignificance of false gods and to the superstition and falsehood impressed by idolatrous temples and worship. The light of nature is from the same source as the light of revelation, teaching grand truths and always agreeing with it, and because all created works act in sublime harmony with His laws it is unreasonable for man to array himself in opposition to the law of God. Beholding this testimony in solitude removes false impressions, exposes pride and self-exaltation, and helps bring heart and mind on all points into harmony with truth and heaven, while nature also teaches children to see Christ's love and to learn obedience to the laws that govern living things and are given for human happiness and joy.
The created world bears witness that God is its Creator, supporting the Sabbath as a memorial of creation and of His creative power and rightful authority, and as a grateful acknowledgment of that authority. God gave the Sabbath so that men would discern Him in the works of His hand and behold His glory in what He made, and the Sabbath gives time to turn the mind to these works. Hills, trees, buds and flowers all point to their Creator, and contemplating them on the Sabbath helps people recognize God as Creator, recognize His power and goodness, feel gratitude, and draw near to Him. Above all on the holy rest day people should study the messages He has written in nature, studying Christ's parables where He spoke them in fields and groves under the open sky among grass and flowers, for Jesus bound His lessons to the beauty of natural things for that same purpose because God desires people to learn from nature. As they come close to the heart of nature Christ makes His presence real and speaks peace and love to the heart. The beauty of creation also reveals His love and benevolent character, with lovely singing birds, spires of grass, and gloriously tinted perfect flowers perfuming the air as tokens of His love to man, helping children see Him as a tender, loving Father and stirring love, awe and reverence for Him. Seen in the open air in company with parents, they give children a more correct knowledge and idea of God and impress their minds, leading them to regard Him as one who has His children's happiness in view in His prohibitions and injunctions, not as stern and severe power and authority, and drawing them to love Him. Directing minds to beautiful objects in nature by conversing about His works in groves and bright sunshine feeds restless minds and inspires love, reverence, awe and new interest, whereas those who sacrifice simplicity to fashion and shut themselves away from nature's beauties cannot be spiritually minded and cannot understand His skill and power revealed in creation, so their hearts do not quicken with new love and interest.
The whole natural world was designed to interpret God and teach divine truth, full in Eden of the knowledge of God and divine instruction and vocal with wisdom to eye and ear through communion with God in created works. After transgression the brightness departed from the face of nature and nature is now marred and defiled by sin, yet His object-lessons are not obliterated and rightly studied and interpreted nature still speaks of her Creator. As divine truth is revealed in Scripture so it is reflected as from a mirror in nature, and through creation people become acquainted with the Creator. The book of nature is a great lesson book to be used together with the Scriptures, for the book of nature and the written word are two great lesson books that shed light upon each other and together make us better acquainted with God by teaching His character and the wise, beneficent laws through which He works. Together they guide lost sheep back to God, and as His works are studied the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind beyond logical reasoning, grasping a deeper meaning and impressing the sublime spiritual truths of the written word on the heart unless mind and eye and ear have become too dark and dim and dull to know and see and hear God. The created world thus illuminates the mind and makes the Creator known, and its lessons can impress the mind and shape the character. God is to be learned through His works as well as through His word, and both are needed so lives fulfill His purpose, with true greatness consisting in honoring God by revealing His character in daily life. Those who love and worship God perceive nature's beauty, and it can awaken the highest sense of moral grandeur, while a clear knowledge of God through the Bible enables people to appreciate nature in this way.
God speaks to human senses through the things He has created, with the sky making known His glory and power, yet this truth about God in nature lies too deep to be found by human reason alone. Like precious ore hidden in a mine, it must be worked for diligently and perseveringly, and only the soul enlightened by inspiration sees His greatness and power in His created works. The psalm must therefore be understood with talents consecrated to God, without which consecration the youth cannot speak intelligently about it, and understanding the Son of God's sacrifice for humanity brings a sense of responsibility as Christ's servants. Creation declares His glory and handiwork so that His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen from the creation of the world by the things that are made, and science taken with the written word as counselor becomes an aid to understand God. The book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind and cannot speak in conflict, but by different methods and in different languages they witness to the same great truths, shed light upon each other, and make God known by teaching something of the laws through which He works. Science is ever discovering new wonders but brings from its research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. God uses nature as His servant to reveal His true greatness and power, and the objects He has created display what His hands have made in order to turn minds from nature to nature's God instead of leaving them in idolatry of nature, so scientific presentations must not lead minds away from this real revelation to imaginary things.
God encourages contemplation of His works in the natural world and desires the mind to turn from the artificial to the natural. Its meaning is understood better by lifting the eyes to the hills of God and contemplating the works His own hands have created. The mountains were molded by His hand and balanced in their place so they are not moved except at His command, and the wind, the sun, the rain, the snow and the ice are all His ministers to do His will. Their significance can be truly appreciated only through knowledge of the Creator, for the splendor of the heavens and the varied works of nature reveal the power and glory of God in the things made by His hands. God placed these glories around people so the natural eye would be charmed and the heart and life would be lifted higher, with the adornments of nature in spring and summer, lofty trees, and lovely flowers of every tint and hue meant to call people out of their houses to look and think about God. Those conformed to the fashions of the world rush past unmindful of these glories, close their senses to them, and neglect the higher life, seeking happiness instead in fashionable life and unnatural excitement that opposes the laws of God in the human being. Nature is His great lesson book, ever open to all, and the sun, moon, stars, solid rocks, flowing stream, broad ocean, and the growth of plants and animals all teach lessons to be heeded. They teach perfect trust and unwavering faith in God, placing God-given faculties under the discipline of grace rather than working by human imagination against divine purposes, and they show that He bestows love, mercy and grace every moment of life. They show also the work and responsibility given to every man, woman, youth and child to use opportunities and privileges rightly, since misuse of faculties robs God, to whom man belongs by creation and by redemption.
Witness in Human History
In Eden the first pair lived as children under fatherly care, with open communion with their Maker, visits from angels, and vigor from the tree of life with intellectual power little less than angels. The heavens and innumerable worlds in orderly revolution stood open to their study, and creation in undimmed brightness spoke of infinite wisdom and power. Every leaf of the forest, stone of the mountains, shining star, and law and operation of nature in earth and air and sky bore the Creator's name and gave exhaustless instruction and delight. All they saw testified to fatherly love and infinite power, and wherever they turned the divine voice was heard and the divine work was seen. So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, each new attraction filled their hearts with deeper love and gratitude, and their capacity to know, to enjoy, and to love continually increased with new treasures of knowledge, fresh springs of happiness, and clearer conceptions of immeasurable, unfailing love. Though that world now lies under shadow and blight, traces of its first loveliness remain everywhere.
The wise men studied the works of God in nature and traced His hand in the sun, moon, and stars. As they read the signs in the sky and beheld the Creator's glory in the starry heavens, they were led to seek clearer knowledge of the promised Messiah. God met them in the way they could best be reached and taught, different from His revelation to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem. He gave them a wonderful star, with angels hovering in the heavens in the shape of a star, and as they perceived something strange taking place they began to move and the star moved before them to guide them toward Christ.
At Lystra, where there was no Jewish synagogue, heathen idolaters were given correct knowledge of the true object of worship from the heavens and visible works of nature. Their attention was directed in Greek to the firmament, the sun, moon, and stars, the beautiful order of recurring seasons, the mighty snow-capped mountains, the lofty trees, and varied wonders showing skill and exactitude almost beyond finite comprehension. Through these visible works the mind was led to contemplate the great Mind and great Ruler of the universe, and then Christ was presented to them.
Jesus gathered knowledge from lessons written in earth, sea, and sky, drawing spiritual teaching from everyday surroundings. John the Baptist in the wilderness studied the book of nature, which helped him keep a sacred sense of God's greatness and keep the fear of the Lord before him. John in exile learned from the vast starry heavens how small human beings are beside God, a lesson humbling pride based on wealth, talent, or personal beauty. Even Patmos's barren rocks and turbulent sea bore witness to divine power and glory, with firmament, desolate rocks, and deep revealing the wisdom and skill of the Creator. Children in the schools of the prophets were likewise taught to recognize God in stars, trees, flowers, mountains, and brooks as well as in the words of revelation, since all speak of the Creator.
Gifts and mercies in creation testify to their Giver, and people are accountable to heed that testimony together with the warnings, counsels, and reproofs of the word. The Philistines and backsliding Israel stand as examples of ignoring both, to their condemnation.
Worship Learning and Final Hope
The silent witness of sky and firmament calls for unceasing thanksgiving and joyful worship in assemblies, with heart and voice praising God while forgetting difficulties and troubles and giving thanks for freedom from sin and for the opportunity to live for the glory of His name. Those who are truly converted recognize this testimony in creation and are led to adore the Maker rather than nature itself or human art, for nature in its beauty is more perfect than human imitation and was made for human enjoyment and happiness to lift the mind beyond created things to the Creator. Contemplation of His character as revealed in created works — from leaf and grass and flower to tree and mountain and ocean, from gems of light studding the night and exhaustless sunlight and solemn glories of the moon to winter cold, summer heat, and changing seasons in perfect order — fills the heart with reverence, gratitude, and thanksgiving and leads to adoration of the God of nature. Every nerve and sense responds to the expressions of His love in these marvelous works, which bring every faculty of mind into activity, in contrast to earthly allurements and low, debasing amusements that dwarf and cripple the powers.
Beholding the vast heavens teaches human smallness beside God and humbles pride based on wealth, talent, or personal beauty. In solitude this testimony removes false impressions, exposes pride and self-exaltation, and helps bring heart and mind into harmony with truth and heaven, since all created works act in sublime harmony with His laws and it is unreasonable for man to array himself against them. The things He created speak as object lessons revealing His handiwork and reproving unbelief and forgetfulness of dependence on Him, for the light of nature is from the same source as the light of revelation and always agrees with it. Wild mountains, towering rocks, and everlasting hills stand as mute representatives of His power, declaring His greatness, majesty, presence, and overshadowing glory in contrast to the insignificance of false gods and idolatrous superstition.
Parents and teachers are to behold the heavens and study God's works in nature, opening the book of nature to young minds as fast as they can comprehend. As soon as children can understand, buds, opening flowers, colors, variety of forms, and beautiful scenery are to be opened before them, associating God with all His created works that attract and delight them, so they are acquainted with Him who made all beautiful things, their minds are led up to their Creator, and love for their heavenly Father is awakened by manifestation of His great love. Turning from love for the artificial in house and dress to cultivate love for natural beauty, the open air amid flowers and scenery should be the only schoolroom for children from eight to ten years of age, for lessons about God imprinted there will not soon be forgotten and are more valuable than mere book knowledge. Even children can learn of Him by observing the natural world, and nature also teaches them to see Christ's love and to learn obedience to God's laws which govern living things and are given for human happiness and joy.
Schools should be placed apart from cities where the eye rests not continually upon the dwellings of men but upon the works of God, in locations with much in nature to delight the senses and give variety to the scenery and with places of interest beyond what the city affords. Such surroundings supply sources of pleasure that are pure and noble and elevating while shunning what is false and artificial, and contemplating God's works in nature is a beneficial source of recreation for both body and mind. Studying His works in woods, mountains, and cultivated land teaches about God and helps in presenting Him to others, draws the mind away from low amusements, strengthens thought, and makes the mind strong in searching out mysteries. He could have written truth upon the firmament or sent angels to declare it, but instead He delegated His disciples to carry light to the world.
The sun still shines in the sky and still makes its usual round, and the heavens still declare God's glory, even while the end steals on quietly like a thief. The fixed order of nature goes on unchanged at the very time when probation is fast closing and every case is about to be fixed forever. Meanwhile men go on with their usual eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, buying and selling, seeking the highest place and contending for place, and chasing pleasure, deceived and kept busy until the door of mercy is forever shut. This steady witness contrasts with the approaching crisis before Christ's second coming and the closing of probation.
The handiwork includes other inhabited worlds in the heavens, including a world with seven moons, where His handiwork can be viewed up close. The redeemed with undimmed vision will study the wonders of creation with delight, for His name is written on everything from least to greatest and the riches of His power are seen throughout the ordered universe. If faithful, the redeemed with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God. Learning from God's works begins in this life and continues throughout eternity, for knowledge of His works and ways is only begun in this world. The pure in heart, by becoming partakers of the divine nature and childlike and trustingly desiring to know and do His will, read His mercy, goodness, and grace more clearly, discerning truths hidden from the wise.
The sky above with its sun, moon, stars, clouds and changing beauty makes known the glory, skill and greatness of God and shows His handiwork. Its testimony is silent and without words yet goes on continually day and night, speaking to eye and ear and inviting thought about the Maker. It reveals a living Creator, Supreme Ruler and Maker of all, whose infinite power, wisdom, majesty and exact order are written on everything from least to greatest. It also reveals His goodness, mercy, love and tender fatherly care in beauty, adaptation to human need and happiness, sunshine, rain, food and ten thousand unnoticed mercies. Nature is His created work and not Himself, and though marred by sin it still bears witness, calling for thankful worship, humility, teaching of the young from the open book of nature, and a study that will continue through eternity.
Heaven's Silent Witness
The heavens and the firmament are the sky above, including the sun, moon, stars, clouds and ever-changing sky, and they declare the glory of God and show His handiwork, skill and greatness. They are created works and appointed agencies, not God Himself, and their witness points to His power as Creator and to His continual work in upholding what He made. Their beauty and order reveal His work, wisdom, power, care and goodness to all the earth, from the heavens to the smallest growing flower, giving reasoning minds a conception of their Creator. Nature bears this witness faithfully when called to testify, unlike humanity which disobeys His laws, and the psalm thus binds His law to His created works.
That declaration is silent and wordless yet continual day and night, speaking without ceasing. God speaks through it to the human senses, eye and ear, so that the sky continually makes known His glory, skill, greatness and power. The green fields, lofty trees, buds and flowers, passing cloud, falling rain, babbling brook and glories of the heavens speak to the heart and invite acquaintance with Him who made them all. An open heart is impressed by the glory revealed through the works of His hands, the listening ear hears and understands His communications through nature, and the inspired soul recognizes His handiwork and is invited to meditation on the Maker and to diligent study of His wonderful works. This truth in nature lies too deep for human reason alone and, like precious ore hidden in a mine, must be worked for diligently and perseveringly.
The witness ranges from the vast heavens and starry depths to the smallest things, all testifying as His workmanship. Lofty mountains and granite rocks, the great and restless ocean, valleys, massive cleft rocks, towering mountains, stately and lofty trees, forests, spires of grass, plants, buds, flowers, streams, winter cold, summer heat and the changing recurring seasons in perfect order and harmony, together with thunder, birdsong, the colors of earth and sky, hills, living creatures, the exhaustless riches of sunlight, the solemn glories of the moon and the gems of light studding the heavens to make the night beautiful, display His glory, power, majesty, wisdom, knowledge, skill, care and love of beauty. From the greatest to the least, even to the simple leaf of the forest tree and the smallest shell, created things bear witness to their Creator.
Particular beauties of the sky display His greatness, including the sunrise, the moon, thunder, the beauty of sun, moon, stars and changing sky, and great clouds of stars like the nebula in Orion now seen in photographs. The shifting, changing colors of the setting sun in gold, silver and crimson are His own painting, more perfect than human art and its imperfect copies and paintings made in imitation, revealing His creative power, infinite love and power. That heaven-made picture is not to be turned from carelessly to admire or worship human art instead, but to be traced to God's hand, honored as the work of divine skill, and recognized as opened portals giving a glimpse of the glory within heaven. Those truly converted recognize this testimony and are led beyond the beauty to honor its divine Maker and praise Him with heart and voice.
Creator Revealed in Nature
The heavens declare a living Creator and Supreme Ruler, Former and Builder of all things, Caller of creation who formed the mountains and the wind, made the Pleiades and Orion, built the vaulted heavens and the earth, and calls and pours out the waters of the sea. The sky and the starry depths, with their great clouds of stars such as the nebula in Orion now seen in photographs, display the work of His hands and make His existence evident, so that to deny that there is a God is foolish and needs no proof from human reasoning. The world has lost the knowledge of God, and this continual declaration points to the need to bring that knowledge within everyone's reach through the senses, the attentive eye discerning it and the sanctified ear hearing and understanding it. Sunbeam, green fields, trees, clouds, dew, the solemn silence of the night, the moon in its beauty, and the starry heavens all testify to His power and glory and invite meditation upon the Maker, a lesson opened by daily searching of the Scriptures where every material thing becomes an object lesson.
The ordered universe shows exactitude beyond finite comprehension and reveals One infinite in power, wisdom, knowledge, majesty, greatness, and skill, whose name is written on everything from least to greatest. The heavens and the firmament testify to His glory and handiwork as created works that point to His power as Creator and to His continual work in upholding what He made. Even though sin has marred nature, its remaining beauty still reveals the handiwork of the great Master Artist, and in their original perfection created things expressed His thought and made nature rich in divine wisdom. What is seen today gives only a faint, dim, partial and imperfect conception of Eden's beauty and glory, yet much that is beautiful remains and still speaks of its Creator.
That beauty, delicate color, and fragrance show that He has not wholly withdrawn His mercy but continues to love humanity with goodness, mercy, love, and tender fatherly care. Hill, vale, river, and sea, the earth's varied landscapes, and its life-giving provisions are fully appreciated when seen as His gifts to humanity, expressing His love and His loving care. From the wonderful adaptation of natural things to human needs and happiness is learned that God still loves and that His mercy is still manifested to the world, in sunshine, rain, food, beauty, and ten thousand unnoticed mercies given even to the wicked and rebellious. The earth He created He filled with life and gladness, fitting it to human needs and happiness.
The works of creation reveal His character, glory, and thoughts of peace and goodness, making His character visible and helping people understand Him. Their beauty, order, and variety speak to the senses and hearts, revealing His love, power, and glory and inviting people to know their Maker, enter into communion with Him, and give Him reverence, gratitude, and worship. Read in the light of the cross, nature's message also speaks of His restorative love and desire to make His children happy. Learning from His works in this way begins in this life and continues throughout eternity.
Creation Distinct From Creator
The heavens and the firmament are created works and appointed agencies that testify to divine glory and handiwork, upholding power, character, love, and skill, but they are not God Himself. No one is authorized to say that God in person is in flower or leaf or tree, and the beautiful things of nature are His gift to show power and love, to be enjoyed for human happiness yet never worshiped. Their witness lifts the mind beyond created things to adore their Maker, pointing beyond what is made to a personal Creator, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made.
In Eden creation stood in undimmed brightness and perfection, full of knowledge of God and divine instruction and vocal with wisdom to eye and ear, with every operation fitted to human needs and happiness. After transgression brightness departed from the face of nature, and sin marred its form and beauty, defiled it, and left traces of the work of the prince of the power of the air. Yet the object-lessons are not obliterated, the witness is dim and partial but not silenced, and much that is beautiful remains with traces of original loveliness still pointing to the Creator. Even in its blighted state all things reveal the handiwork of the great Master Artist, and rightly studied and interpreted nature still speaks of her Creator, with flowers in delicate color and fragrance showing He still loves and has not wholly withdrawn mercy.
The marred world therefore bears a double testimony, revealing both God's character and the results of transgression of His law. In briars, thistles, thorns, tares, blight, decay, want, desolation, and perishing creatures is read the law of condemnation and judgment for refusing mercy and rejecting the voice in creation and in warnings, counsels, and reproofs. From remaining beauty, wonderful adaptation to human needs and happiness, order, rain and sunshine, food, harvests, and ten thousand unnoticed mercies given even to the wicked and rebellious is learned that God still loves and His mercy and long-suffering providence are still manifested. No bounty can be claimed as human property but is committed as a trust, and accountability remains to heed this testimony with grateful acknowledgment and a yielded heart rather than indifference and idolatry.
Because it is blighted and imperfect, nature cannot by itself give a perfect knowledge of God's moral character, personality, and moral perfection. Stars, ocean, and cataract cannot reveal Him, and the heavens and earth displaying power, wisdom, and love do not reveal personality as clearly as Christ does. A more powerful revelation than nature was needed, so God sent His Son to reveal so far as could be endured by human sight the nature and attributes of the invisible God, veiling dazzling splendor to live as a man among men that a fallen race without being consumed might become acquainted with their Creator and know His love. Christ, the Light of the world and source of wisdom, reveals the Father far more clearly, and the stars and whole expanse of heaven cannot outshine Him or rise above Him, nor can human learning and talents place their possessors above Him.
Law Sabbath Scripture Harmony
Frequent reading of the psalm makes plain how the Lord binds His law with His created works, for the heavens and firmament continually make known His glory and skill day and night and call for beholding the heavens and striving to understand His wonderful works. The eyes of the senses are to be opened to take in His beautiful things, and the lessons taught by heaven and firmament are to be committed to memory. Rightly studied and interpreted, nature teaches obedience to the Creator's will and to His divine laws, both natural and moral, whose keeping brings life and happiness in this world and in the world to come. Older students, while acquiring human arts and learning, are therefore to seek His wisdom and learn those laws from the ever-varying scenes of the recurring seasons, which continually display His glory, power and love and bring lessons of wisdom and gifts of healing for all. Wild mountains, towering rocks and everlasting hills stand as mute representatives of His power, with the Creator's name written everywhere in them, declaring His greatness, majesty, power, presence and overshadowing glory in contrast to the insignificance of false gods and to the superstition and falsehood impressed by idolatrous temples and worship. The light of nature is from the same source as the light of revelation, teaching grand truths and always agreeing with it, and because all created works act in sublime harmony with His laws it is unreasonable for man to array himself in opposition to the law of God. Beholding this testimony in solitude removes false impressions, exposes pride and self-exaltation, and helps bring heart and mind on all points into harmony with truth and heaven, while nature also teaches children to see Christ's love and to learn obedience to the laws that govern living things and are given for human happiness and joy.
The created world bears witness that God is its Creator, supporting the Sabbath as a memorial of creation and of His creative power and rightful authority, and as a grateful acknowledgment of that authority. God gave the Sabbath so that men would discern Him in the works of His hand and behold His glory in what He made, and the Sabbath gives time to turn the mind to these works. Hills, trees, buds and flowers all point to their Creator, and contemplating them on the Sabbath helps people recognize God as Creator, recognize His power and goodness, feel gratitude, and draw near to Him. Above all on the holy rest day people should study the messages He has written in nature, studying Christ's parables where He spoke them in fields and groves under the open sky among grass and flowers, for Jesus bound His lessons to the beauty of natural things for that same purpose because God desires people to learn from nature. As they come close to the heart of nature Christ makes His presence real and speaks peace and love to the heart. The beauty of creation also reveals His love and benevolent character, with lovely singing birds, spires of grass, and gloriously tinted perfect flowers perfuming the air as tokens of His love to man, helping children see Him as a tender, loving Father and stirring love, awe and reverence for Him. Seen in the open air in company with parents, they give children a more correct knowledge and idea of God and impress their minds, leading them to regard Him as one who has His children's happiness in view in His prohibitions and injunctions, not as stern and severe power and authority, and drawing them to love Him. Directing minds to beautiful objects in nature by conversing about His works in groves and bright sunshine feeds restless minds and inspires love, reverence, awe and new interest, whereas those who sacrifice simplicity to fashion and shut themselves away from nature's beauties cannot be spiritually minded and cannot understand His skill and power revealed in creation, so their hearts do not quicken with new love and interest.
The whole natural world was designed to interpret God and teach divine truth, full in Eden of the knowledge of God and divine instruction and vocal with wisdom to eye and ear through communion with God in created works. After transgression the brightness departed from the face of nature and nature is now marred and defiled by sin, yet His object-lessons are not obliterated and rightly studied and interpreted nature still speaks of her Creator. As divine truth is revealed in Scripture so it is reflected as from a mirror in nature, and through creation people become acquainted with the Creator. The book of nature is a great lesson book to be used together with the Scriptures, for the book of nature and the written word are two great lesson books that shed light upon each other and together make us better acquainted with God by teaching His character and the wise, beneficent laws through which He works. Together they guide lost sheep back to God, and as His works are studied the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind beyond logical reasoning, grasping a deeper meaning and impressing the sublime spiritual truths of the written word on the heart unless mind and eye and ear have become too dark and dim and dull to know and see and hear God. The created world thus illuminates the mind and makes the Creator known, and its lessons can impress the mind and shape the character. God is to be learned through His works as well as through His word, and both are needed so lives fulfill His purpose, with true greatness consisting in honoring God by revealing His character in daily life. Those who love and worship God perceive nature's beauty, and it can awaken the highest sense of moral grandeur, while a clear knowledge of God through the Bible enables people to appreciate nature in this way.
God speaks to human senses through the things He has created, with the sky making known His glory and power, yet this truth about God in nature lies too deep to be found by human reason alone. Like precious ore hidden in a mine, it must be worked for diligently and perseveringly, and only the soul enlightened by inspiration sees His greatness and power in His created works. The psalm must therefore be understood with talents consecrated to God, without which consecration the youth cannot speak intelligently about it, and understanding the Son of God's sacrifice for humanity brings a sense of responsibility as Christ's servants. Creation declares His glory and handiwork so that His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen from the creation of the world by the things that are made, and science taken with the written word as counselor becomes an aid to understand God. The book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind and cannot speak in conflict, but by different methods and in different languages they witness to the same great truths, shed light upon each other, and make God known by teaching something of the laws through which He works. Science is ever discovering new wonders but brings from its research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. God uses nature as His servant to reveal His true greatness and power, and the objects He has created display what His hands have made in order to turn minds from nature to nature's God instead of leaving them in idolatry of nature, so scientific presentations must not lead minds away from this real revelation to imaginary things.
God encourages contemplation of His works in the natural world and desires the mind to turn from the artificial to the natural. Its meaning is understood better by lifting the eyes to the hills of God and contemplating the works His own hands have created. The mountains were molded by His hand and balanced in their place so they are not moved except at His command, and the wind, the sun, the rain, the snow and the ice are all His ministers to do His will. Their significance can be truly appreciated only through knowledge of the Creator, for the splendor of the heavens and the varied works of nature reveal the power and glory of God in the things made by His hands. God placed these glories around people so the natural eye would be charmed and the heart and life would be lifted higher, with the adornments of nature in spring and summer, lofty trees, and lovely flowers of every tint and hue meant to call people out of their houses to look and think about God. Those conformed to the fashions of the world rush past unmindful of these glories, close their senses to them, and neglect the higher life, seeking happiness instead in fashionable life and unnatural excitement that opposes the laws of God in the human being. Nature is His great lesson book, ever open to all, and the sun, moon, stars, solid rocks, flowing stream, broad ocean, and the growth of plants and animals all teach lessons to be heeded. They teach perfect trust and unwavering faith in God, placing God-given faculties under the discipline of grace rather than working by human imagination against divine purposes, and they show that He bestows love, mercy and grace every moment of life. They show also the work and responsibility given to every man, woman, youth and child to use opportunities and privileges rightly, since misuse of faculties robs God, to whom man belongs by creation and by redemption.
Witness in Human History
In Eden the first pair lived as children under fatherly care, with open communion with their Maker, visits from angels, and vigor from the tree of life with intellectual power little less than angels. The heavens and innumerable worlds in orderly revolution stood open to their study, and creation in undimmed brightness spoke of infinite wisdom and power. Every leaf of the forest, stone of the mountains, shining star, and law and operation of nature in earth and air and sky bore the Creator's name and gave exhaustless instruction and delight. All they saw testified to fatherly love and infinite power, and wherever they turned the divine voice was heard and the divine work was seen. So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, each new attraction filled their hearts with deeper love and gratitude, and their capacity to know, to enjoy, and to love continually increased with new treasures of knowledge, fresh springs of happiness, and clearer conceptions of immeasurable, unfailing love. Though that world now lies under shadow and blight, traces of its first loveliness remain everywhere.
The wise men studied the works of God in nature and traced His hand in the sun, moon, and stars. As they read the signs in the sky and beheld the Creator's glory in the starry heavens, they were led to seek clearer knowledge of the promised Messiah. God met them in the way they could best be reached and taught, different from His revelation to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem. He gave them a wonderful star, with angels hovering in the heavens in the shape of a star, and as they perceived something strange taking place they began to move and the star moved before them to guide them toward Christ.
At Lystra, where there was no Jewish synagogue, heathen idolaters were given correct knowledge of the true object of worship from the heavens and visible works of nature. Their attention was directed in Greek to the firmament, the sun, moon, and stars, the beautiful order of recurring seasons, the mighty snow-capped mountains, the lofty trees, and varied wonders showing skill and exactitude almost beyond finite comprehension. Through these visible works the mind was led to contemplate the great Mind and great Ruler of the universe, and then Christ was presented to them.
Jesus gathered knowledge from lessons written in earth, sea, and sky, drawing spiritual teaching from everyday surroundings. John the Baptist in the wilderness studied the book of nature, which helped him keep a sacred sense of God's greatness and keep the fear of the Lord before him. John in exile learned from the vast starry heavens how small human beings are beside God, a lesson humbling pride based on wealth, talent, or personal beauty. Even Patmos's barren rocks and turbulent sea bore witness to divine power and glory, with firmament, desolate rocks, and deep revealing the wisdom and skill of the Creator. Children in the schools of the prophets were likewise taught to recognize God in stars, trees, flowers, mountains, and brooks as well as in the words of revelation, since all speak of the Creator.
Gifts and mercies in creation testify to their Giver, and people are accountable to heed that testimony together with the warnings, counsels, and reproofs of the word. The Philistines and backsliding Israel stand as examples of ignoring both, to their condemnation.
Worship Learning and Final Hope
The silent witness of sky and firmament calls for unceasing thanksgiving and joyful worship in assemblies, with heart and voice praising God while forgetting difficulties and troubles and giving thanks for freedom from sin and for the opportunity to live for the glory of His name. Those who are truly converted recognize this testimony in creation and are led to adore the Maker rather than nature itself or human art, for nature in its beauty is more perfect than human imitation and was made for human enjoyment and happiness to lift the mind beyond created things to the Creator. Contemplation of His character as revealed in created works — from leaf and grass and flower to tree and mountain and ocean, from gems of light studding the night and exhaustless sunlight and solemn glories of the moon to winter cold, summer heat, and changing seasons in perfect order — fills the heart with reverence, gratitude, and thanksgiving and leads to adoration of the God of nature. Every nerve and sense responds to the expressions of His love in these marvelous works, which bring every faculty of mind into activity, in contrast to earthly allurements and low, debasing amusements that dwarf and cripple the powers.
Beholding the vast heavens teaches human smallness beside God and humbles pride based on wealth, talent, or personal beauty. In solitude this testimony removes false impressions, exposes pride and self-exaltation, and helps bring heart and mind into harmony with truth and heaven, since all created works act in sublime harmony with His laws and it is unreasonable for man to array himself against them. The things He created speak as object lessons revealing His handiwork and reproving unbelief and forgetfulness of dependence on Him, for the light of nature is from the same source as the light of revelation and always agrees with it. Wild mountains, towering rocks, and everlasting hills stand as mute representatives of His power, declaring His greatness, majesty, presence, and overshadowing glory in contrast to the insignificance of false gods and idolatrous superstition.
Parents and teachers are to behold the heavens and study God's works in nature, opening the book of nature to young minds as fast as they can comprehend. As soon as children can understand, buds, opening flowers, colors, variety of forms, and beautiful scenery are to be opened before them, associating God with all His created works that attract and delight them, so they are acquainted with Him who made all beautiful things, their minds are led up to their Creator, and love for their heavenly Father is awakened by manifestation of His great love. Turning from love for the artificial in house and dress to cultivate love for natural beauty, the open air amid flowers and scenery should be the only schoolroom for children from eight to ten years of age, for lessons about God imprinted there will not soon be forgotten and are more valuable than mere book knowledge. Even children can learn of Him by observing the natural world, and nature also teaches them to see Christ's love and to learn obedience to God's laws which govern living things and are given for human happiness and joy.
Schools should be placed apart from cities where the eye rests not continually upon the dwellings of men but upon the works of God, in locations with much in nature to delight the senses and give variety to the scenery and with places of interest beyond what the city affords. Such surroundings supply sources of pleasure that are pure and noble and elevating while shunning what is false and artificial, and contemplating God's works in nature is a beneficial source of recreation for both body and mind. Studying His works in woods, mountains, and cultivated land teaches about God and helps in presenting Him to others, draws the mind away from low amusements, strengthens thought, and makes the mind strong in searching out mysteries. He could have written truth upon the firmament or sent angels to declare it, but instead He delegated His disciples to carry light to the world.
The sun still shines in the sky and still makes its usual round, and the heavens still declare God's glory, even while the end steals on quietly like a thief. The fixed order of nature goes on unchanged at the very time when probation is fast closing and every case is about to be fixed forever. Meanwhile men go on with their usual eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, buying and selling, seeking the highest place and contending for place, and chasing pleasure, deceived and kept busy until the door of mercy is forever shut. This steady witness contrasts with the approaching crisis before Christ's second coming and the closing of probation.
The handiwork includes other inhabited worlds in the heavens, including a world with seven moons, where His handiwork can be viewed up close. The redeemed with undimmed vision will study the wonders of creation with delight, for His name is written on everything from least to greatest and the riches of His power are seen throughout the ordered universe. If faithful, the redeemed with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God. Learning from God's works begins in this life and continues throughout eternity, for knowledge of His works and ways is only begun in this world. The pure in heart, by becoming partakers of the divine nature and childlike and trustingly desiring to know and do His will, read His mercy, goodness, and grace more clearly, discerning truths hidden from the wise.