God the Creator
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." - Psalm 19:1
We live in a world of extraordinary beauty. From the vastness of the heavens to the intricate patterns of a flower, from the colours of a sunset to the melodies of birdsong, creation displays a richness, variety and beauty that is almost beyond comprehension.
Scripture invites us to see these things as expressions of God's wisdom and handywork.
"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." (Psalm 104:24)
God is not merely the source of creation's existence. He is its designer, its maker, and the One who gives it all its wonderful character.
The Artistry of God
Consider the extraordinary diversity of creation: its colours, textures, sounds, shapes, proportions and patterns. Consider the elegance of natural laws, the immensity of space and the intricacy of life.
Yet God's creativity extends far beyond the physical things we can see and touch.
He is the author of the very realities through which we experience existence.
Not merely the colours of the world, but the possibility of seeing colour. Not merely the sounds of music, but hearing, harmony, rhythm and the delight they bring.
Consider also newness and familiarity, anticipation and remembrance, discovery and wonder. We look forward to tomorrow, remember yesterday, delight in discoveries and find comfort in things we have known for years.
God has given us not merely a world to inhabit, but a world to experience, appreciate, understand and love.
Man in the Image of God
One of the most remarkable features of humanity is our own creativity.
Scripture tells us that God made man in His image, adding immediately:
"Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth." (Genesis 1:26)
There is a wonderful relationship here.
God has dominion over all creation. Man, made in His image, is given dominion over the creatures of the earth.
This dominion is not principally a matter of physical strength. Many animals are stronger, faster or better equipped than we are.
Yet through creativity man has rule over every creature.
Man is creative because he is made in the image of a Creator.
Yet there remains an infinite difference. Man fashions things from what already exists. God is the One from whom everything ultimately comes. Even our imagination and creative abilities are His gifts.
Our dominion is entrusted to us. His dominion is absolute.
Honouring God Through Thankfulness
How, then, should we respond to such a wonderful Creator?
The apostle Paul gives us a remarkably simple answer.
In Romans 1:20-21, Paul explains that God's eternal power and divinity are revealed through the things He has made. Yet he describes man's failure to respond appropriately:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful." (Romans 1:21)
Notice that Paul connects honouring God glorifying him as God, that is, as Creator and Ruler of the universe, with thankfulness for the wonderful things He has made.
To recognise God as Creator is to recognise that eeverything we enjoy, and everything that makes life beautiful comes ultimately from Him.
And this thankfulness should extend to all blessings of life.
Scripture tells us that God's mercies are "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23).
The God who made this beautiful world is also the One who renews the hearts of His people and prepares for them a new heavens and a new earth.
Thankfulness, therefore, is much more than appreciation for the pleasant things in life. It is an expression of the recognition of God's generosity, wisdom and love in all His works.
There is an extraordinary richness to creation that points to the One who conceived it all.
"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)
