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Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:3-6)
Many people refer to themselves as atheists, those who believe there is no God. Others claim to be agnostics, admitting that God may exist, but that it is impossible to know with certainty. Yet even though these individuals outwardly deny any such knowledge, they know in their hearts that there is a God who created all things. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19). As our psalm declares, by His understanding God made the heavens and spread out the earth above the waters. God’s divine power and majesty are clearly seen in the wonders of His creation.
On their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel to the people of Lystra, seeking to turn them away from their worship of idols. The apostle Paul said that they should worship the living God, who testified to His goodness by giving the people rain and fruitful seasons (see Acts 14:17). Yet even then the people still wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, believing them to be gods. Like people of every time and place, the citizens of Lystra “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25a). Many people choose to reject the truth about God for a lie and create gods of wood or stone or gold. Others make gods out of wealth and possessions or worship the readily available god of self.
People know in their hearts that there is a God. They can see His majesty revealed in the world He made. They may even set up an altar and bring offerings in an attempt to please the God they regard as the Creator. They know He is powerful, but they cannot discover the truth that God loves them. They cannot discern God’s enduring steadfast love. God must reveal that truth, and He has done so. God first spoke by the prophets, “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2a). God, “who alone does great wonders,” revealed Himself in the greatest wonder of all, the Gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. By God’s grace through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we have the gift of eternal life. The truth has been revealed. We give thanks to the Lord of lords for His enduring, steadfast love!
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, all of creation proclaims Your glory. I will praise You now and forever for Your steadfast love in Christ. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
- What speaks to you as evidence that there is a God? Is it something visible and tangible, or is it more of a spiritual or intellectual nature?
- What does it mean when Scripture says, “in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son”?
- When questions arise and answers are coming from every direction, remember Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 14. There is great comfort here.
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