There is futility in a belief that God does not exist. David declares, “the heavens declare the glory of God, and sky above proclaims his handiwork” (v1). The evidence for a Divine Creator is undeniable, for He provides “general revelation” of himself to humanity through all he has created. Though an atheist may profess with his mouth and his mind be filled with the fog of lies with such a denial, Paul exposes the suppressed truth of their hearts, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, has been clearly perceived, ever since their creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom 1:19-21).
The revelation of God is given and goes out like the “sun” for all of creation to witness, thus David offers the following imagery, “Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words at the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun…” (v4). His glory is continually revealed without end, thus David declares, “Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (v2). David uses the majestic attributes of the sun as a paint brush to portray Gods’ revealed glory to all men. David’s point is this: just as nothing in human creation can be hidden from the sun, how much more can no man hide himself from the evidence (seen and experienced) of our Creator, thus he says of the sun, “which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber (sun rising) and like a strong man, runs its course with joy (moving from east to west). (6) Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”
Reflection: Bottom line, God has revealed himself to all men regardless if they have or have not heard the Gospel (“special revelation”, we will discuss more in Part 2). The evidence of his existence has reached all nations, whom Paul has declared that they have “clearly perceived” him since the creation of the world. This truth should strengthen our faith as Christians as we endeavor to engage unbelievers who deny either the existence or sovereignty of the God of the Bible. We should be encouraged that when we encounter them we are not working from scratch, but each human person has within them general knowledge of the existence of God. Why? Because God has given it to all men as Solomon observes, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart…” (Ecc 3:11). In other words, embedded within us is a desire to know our significance in light of our great Creator. So every time you and I look upon the heavens, and the creation of the earth, we witness the glory of God. This should lead us to worship him (not the creation), and be thankful to him for the very air we breathe is full of his grace and mercy.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com