The more I grow in Christ, and the more I search the Scriptures I am finding something to be true in natural life and in the declaration of the Gospel. God, as our Creator, has designed all of Creation for His glory and our enjoyment and good. The more we are aware of this and find joy in the Creator as we enjoy His creation, the more we find our satisfaction in Christ and the more we glorify our great God. This means that our eyes and ears will become more open to see the beauty, hear the wonder, and celebrate God as the giver of good gifts. The Fall leaves are an amazing example. They are so amazing in Eureka right now, with these amazing, vibrant colors in the woods around my home. When I am in tune to this I realize that the beauty of the Fall colors is a gift God has given humanity to enjoy, an act of his loving grace to all of creation, to be enjoyed by all, an act of common grace. But those of us who know God because of the Gospel should be reminded to rejoice in our God, to worship Him and give glory to His name rather than having our praise end on the phrase, “Oh, the Fall colors are so beautiful.” So the prophet Daniel says,
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might
He changes the times and seasons…
Daniel 2:20-21
I was reminded of this again twice yesterday. The first happened at the Post Office yesterday as I was picking up mail from our PO Box. We had received several packages along with about five days of other mail, so I had to go to the counter to pick up the packages. When the lady working for the Post Office brought them to the counter, I knew I was in trouble. There was a fairly large box, a medium sized box, and then a small but pretty wide box. All this long with about 20 pieces of mail which included a couple magazines. Started trying to figure out how I would ever get all this out to my car, so I started to stack. But I already knew the dilemma, I would get half-way out to the car holding boxes with both hands, and as I tried to open doors or walked into the wind, the mail was going to go flying everywhere. But I couldn’t really make two trips because there was a line and no place to put all the stuff, plus I am a man and not quick to admit I can’t handle things. So I stacked the boxes, put the mail on top and started walking. It was then that I realized why I had a chin. Before I thought it was there to give a place for my not so youthful goatee, or to catch food when it falls from my lips so it won’t go directly to my shirt. But on this day it became a wonderful clamp on the top of the box allowing me to hold the packages securely with my hands while keeping the mail secure on top. As I opened the door and started walking to my car I was feeling pretty good about my ingenuity, and it was then that the Spirit spoke to me, “Mike, I designed the chin in such a way that on this day it works as a great C-clamp to hold your mail. Have you praised me for the way I designed you today?” After I safely arrived at my car and got all the mail inside, I sat in my seat for a moment thanking God for reminding me that everything in His creation displays His glory, is for my good, and I can enjoy it. But I need to remember (or be reminded) that my wonder should never end on itself, but it should center on Christ who has given us all things for our good and joy.
Then, last night, after the rain God gave us another reminder, one He told us was a reminder that He is covenant keeping, promise keeping God. If you live in Eureka and you missed the rainbow last night, bummer. It was the most amazing bow I’ve every seen, full colors and a complete arch, with a second rainbow just outside and on top that was almost equally brilliant. I was quickly reminded of God’s words to Noah:
[12] And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: [13] I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. [14] When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, [15] I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
(Genesis 9:12-15 ESV)
I was driving home at the time, so quickly called my wife so she and the rest of my family could step out on the deck and see the amazing display of God’s goodness. Oh how my heart was thrilled when I got home and walked out on the deck where my wife was watching my twin three-year-old girls dancing in the rain, looking up to the rainbow, and saying over and over again, “Thank you Jesus for the rainbow, it is so beautiful!” That’s good theology, and good worship.
