That God created the world implies that he is in control of all of his creation; but, is there anything outside of the Triune God that is not created by the Triune God? No! Everything outside of God comes from God—being created by him. Therefore, whether we are referring to the material things of this world (both the materials of our homes and cars and the materials of our bodies; even water, air, and earth that cause hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes) or immaterial things of the spiritual world (such as angels, demons, and our souls incorporated or separated from their bodies); God is the creator of all of these things. It follows that, there is nothing in creation that escapes his power. He is completely in control of everything, all the time. We can, therefore, have peace in our souls knowing that there is nothing beyond divine control. Fallen angels cannot touch us unless God allows it. We need not be afraid of humans, animals, or the elements, for God controls them all. As David says in Psalm 91:
He who dwells under the shelter of the Most High, Rests in the shadow of the Almighty. I say to the LORD: My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust! For it is he who rescues you from the snare of the fowler, from the pestilence and its ravages. He will cover you with his feathers, you will take refuge under his wings; His truth is a shield and breastplate. You will not fear (the terror) of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that walks in the dark, Nor the contagion that strikes at noonday. Let a thousand fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, Nothing will overtake you; You only look with your eyes, And you will see the retribution of the wicked. For you are my refuge, O Lord! “You make the Most High your retreat.
Or, Paul in Romans 8:
What then shall we say about it? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also give us everything with him, by grace? Who will accuse God’s elect? God is the justifier! Who will condemn them? Christ Jesus is the one who died; much more, he is risen, he is at the right hand of God, and he intercedes for us! Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or hunger, or destitution, or peril, or the sword? As it is written, For your sake we are being put to death all day. We are considered like sheep being slaughtered. But in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor dominions, neither the present, nor the future, nor the powers, nor the beings on high, nor those below, nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We know the whole story of Job, whom Satan tempted (with divine permission) by taking away everything except for his very life (even removing his health and the love of his wife). In chapters 32 to 37, Job’s friend, Elihu, gives a concluding speech by speaking of the sovereign power of God. He ends with these words, “We cannot reach the Almighty, Great in might, By right and by sovereign justice: He does not answer! Therefore men should fear him; He does not look at any of the sages.” Suddenly, “The Lord answered Job out of the storm and said. (Job 38:1)” From the very midst of the storm God responds in chapters 38-41 to Job’s complaints, but not to his questions. God’s answer boils down to “Look at all creation. Do you know how these things work, interact? Where do they come from and where do they go? It is I who made them, it is I who support them; without seeking advice from anyone.” After a long speech, God asks Job if he has anything to add. Job replies, “Behold, I am a small thing; what would I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, I will answer no more; Twice, I will add nothing.” God continues, “The Lord answered Job out of the storm. (Job 40:6)” And continues to present, before Job, all creation. There is an important point to grasp here, God never once explained to Job why his life was turned upside down, or why everything was taken away from him.
When God finishes, Job speaks, “I recognize that you can do everything, And that no thought is beyond your reach. — Who is it that darkens my intentions (by words) devoid of knowledge? — Yes, I shared, without understanding them, Wonders that are beyond me and that I did not know. — Listen to me, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will instruct me. — My ear had heard of you; But now my eye has seen you. Therefore I condemn myself and repent On dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6) Job repents. Recognizing that God is the creator teaches us humility before the One who not only created all things, but also sovereignly directs all things.
Thomas Watson points out to us that creation shows us many truths about God. First, divine wisdom,
The creation, as it is a monument of God’s power, so a lookingglass in which we may see his wisdom. None but a wise God could so curiously contrive the world. Behold the earth decked with variety of flowers which are both for beauty and fragrance; the heaven bespangled with lights; we may see the glorious wisdom of God blazing in the sun, twinkling in the stars. His wisdom is seen in the marshalling and ordering every thing in its proper place and sphere; if the sun had been set lower, it would have burned us; if higher, it would not have warmed us with its beams. God’s wisdom is seen in appointing the seasons of the year, ‘thou hast made summer and winter.” If it had been all summer, the heat would have scorched us; if all winter , the cold would have killed us. The wisdom of God is seen in checking the dark and the light; if it had been all night, there had been no labour; if all day, there had been no rest. Wisdom is seen in mixing the elements, the earth with the sea; if it had been all sea, then we had wanted bread; if it had been all earth, then we had wanted water. The wisdom of God is seen in preparing and ripening the fruits of the earth; the wind and frost prepare the fruits, the sun and rain ripen the fruits. God’s wisdom is seen in setting bounds to the sea, and so wisely contriving it, that though the sea be higher than the earth, yet it should not overflow the earth; so that we may cry out with the Psalmist, ‘O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all.” There is nothing to be seen but miracles of wisdom. God’s wisdom is seen in ordering things in the body politic, that one shall have need of another; the poor need the rich man’s money, and the rich need the poor man’s labour. God makes one trade depend upon another, that one may be helpful to another, and that mutual love may be preserved.[1]
Second, divine power:
To create, requires infinite power; all the world cannot make a fly. God’s power in creating is evident; because he needs no instruments to work with; it is proper to God to work without tools. He needs no matter to work upon; first, he creates matter, and then works upon it. He works without labour; ‘he spake and it was done.’”[2]
Creation shows us that we can trust the one who created it. If he knew what he was doing when he created the world, if he knows what he is doing in giving constant existence to this world—sustaining it in existence and action, then He can also be trusted for every stage of our lives.
David Haines, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Theology and Philosophy
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that we each would trust the Lord more deeply as we walk through life.
- Pray for rest for our students and faculty as they enter Fall Break and prepare for the final push to the end of the semester.
- Pray for the full funding of The Serious Joy Scholarships needed to support this year’s students.