Enjoying the Beach for the Glory of God
You don’t have to ask me twice to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. What about you? Are there any particular aspects of God’s creation that you particularly enjoy? Maybe it’s plants or the ocean or animals or wide, open spaces. What about food or drink? I love the coffee bean, especially once it’s ground and extracted into my coffee cup! What about the amazing creation that is the banana; God even made it pre-packaged, ready to pop into your lunch box. Amazing!
I’ve been reading and listening to podcasts this last week about creation and have been reminded of how awe-inspiring and worship-inducing it is. God created the universe out of nothing. Think on that for a moment. The stars (however many billions there are), plants, animals, the varied landscapes, seasons, human-kind… God created everything out of nothing. Wow! The first words of the Bible tell us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 33 tells us, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of this mouth… For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth’ (v. 6, 9).
I’ve also been reminded that God created human kind and all creation for His own glory. Isaiah 43:7 says about God’s sons and daughters, “…whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Psalm 19:1-2 reads, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the sky proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” As author Wayne Grudem points out; ‘It’s important that we realise that he did not need to create it [the universe]. We should not think that God needed more glory than he had within the Trinity for all eternity, or that he was somehow incomplete without the glory that he would receive from the created universe. …the creation of the universe was a totally free act of God. It was not a necessary act but something that God chose to do. …God desired to create the universe to demonstrate his excellence. The creation shows his great wisdom and power, and ultimately it shows all of his other attributes as well.’
Even though there is sin in the world, creation is still good in God’s sight and should be seen as ‘good’ by us as well. God has blessed us with incredibly beautiful creation to behold and enjoy. Delicious food to eat, stunning plants and flowers to marvel at, animals to care for or observe. I could go on. My encouragement to us is to foster awe and gratitude for the gift of God’s creation. To make joyful and careful use of it. To glorify God while we are doing so. Just as we thank God for the food before we eat at meal times, let’s make a habit of thanking Him for the gift of all His creation. Friends, go to the beach for the glory of God.
‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’ (Revelation 4:11)
In Grace,
Emma
