February 5

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)

We can simply look out a window to obtain wisdom. God’s power, his infinite creativity, generosity, and wisdom are all revealed in his creation. God made one moon for the earth, but so many stars, in so many galaxies, that we can only estimate the number, something over ten billion. In the country, away from city lights, on a cloudless night, the light from the moon and the stars can provide enough light to read! I know because I have done so in Africa when the power was out.

Just as a talented artist paints an artistic portrait or a skilled carpenter builds a sturdy, beautiful desk, God, who is perfectly wise, made everything to reflect his wisdom. This is what is known as the general revelation of God, and it is the way that God makes himself known to everyone everywhere. God glorifies himself through nature, and it is wise to recognize that he has done so. “His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20).

Evidence of God’s wisdom is found in the smallest crevices of creation and in the largest expanses of the heavens. In many parts of Africa where I lived, there are driver or safari ants that move in long lines across roads, over hills, sometimes for miles. Soldier ants accompany the safari ants to protect them. They are mesmerizing to watch and I am reminded of Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” The flowers in my garden aren’t just pretty, they also provide food for the butterflies and hummingbirds. The sun is warm on a winter’s day and gives animals relief from freezing temperatures. In the summer the clouds and trees provide much needed shade in parts of the world where there is no air conditioning. Everything works together wisely by God’s power.

I don’t know about you, but I am quite humbled by the idea that I am a sluggard who should learn something valuable from an ant. Proverbs 6 addresses laziness, which we will explore another time. But aren’t we sluggardly when we go in and out while completely ignoring nature? Perhaps we would benefit from studying the creation as least as much, if not more than we search for new wisdom with our devices. Why not try it today; what might you learn from God’s creation?