 
Illustration. Creation. "Behold, it was very good." Gen. 1:31. 1. By whom were the heavens and the earth created? “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1. 2. Through whom did God create all things? “For by Him [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Col. 1:16. “All things were made by Him [through Him, R. V., margin]: and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. See also Heb. 1:1, 2. 3. What do the heavens declare? “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Ps. 19:1. 4. What was God's object in making the earth? “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isa. 45:18. 5. In whose image was man created? “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Gen. 1:27. [pg 048]6. What home did God make for man in the beginning? “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.... And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 2:8-15. 7. What may be perceived through the things that are made? “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 1:20. 8. Whose workmanship is the Christian? “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. 9. What assurance is given concerning the unfailing power of the Creator? “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.” Isa. 40:28. 10. What encouraging statement follows concerning the supply of power to the faint? “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Verse 29. 11. To whom are those who suffer exhorted to commit their souls? “Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19, R. V. 12. What gave special force to the oath of an angel? “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.” Rev. 10:5, 6. [pg 049]13. What contrast is drawn in the Scriptures between the Creator and false gods? “Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer. 10:11-16. 14. To whom is our worship justly due? “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Ps. 95:6. 15. In view of the curse upon this creation, what has God promised? “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. See Rev. 21:1. 16. What is the true basis of the brotherhood of man? “Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” Mal. 2:10. O Thou eternal One! whose presence bright All space doth occupy, all motion guide; Unchanged through time's all devastating flight! Thou only God—there is no God beside! Being above all beings! Mighty One, Whom none can comprehend and none explore; Who fill'st existence with Thyself alone, Embracing all, supporting, ruling o'er; Being whom we call God, and know no more! Thou from primeval nothingness didst call First chaos, then existence; Lord, on Thee Eternity hath its foundation; all Sprung forth from Thee,—of light, joy, harmony, Sole origin,—all life, all beauty Thine; Thy word created all, and doth create; Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine; Thou art and wert and shalt be! Glorious! Great! Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate! Derzhavin. |
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