“All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” —John 1:3
Aardvarks, antelopes, alligators, and ants; bumblebees, bullfrogs, butterflies, and birds; caterpillars, chameleons, canines and cats; from the highest angel to the lowest worm. All of God’s creation was created ex nihilo–the Latin phrase for “out of nothing”—by the Word of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit together in this mighty work of creation, our Master Creator.
“Who comprehends the mind of the LORD, or gives him instruction as his counselor? From whom does he receive directions? Who teaches him the correct way to do things, or imparts knowledge to him, or instructs him in skillful design?” —Isaiah 40:13–14
I am reminded of God’s words to Job in response to Job’s questioning of the Almighty’s plans:
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding!’” —Job 38:1–4
God then asks Job a series of questions throughout the next two chapters regarding the many aspects of creation about which, of course, Job was clueless—thus making him painfully aware of his own ignorance and insignificance in the entire matter. He had not been present when the earth was founded and filled; nor had he had any participation in the creation of it—much less the understanding behind it. Why in the world did he think he was capable of advising God now? We would be wise to think this question through for ourselves when we have a desire to instruct God!
C. H. Macintosh wrote, “Here is the divine antidote against the pride and restless ambition of the men of this world. Nothing is more sad than to witness a pushing, bustling, forward, self-confident spirit and style in those who profess to be followers of than to witness a pushing, bustling, forward, self-confident spirit and style in those who profess to be followers of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. It is such a flagrant contradiction of the spirit and precepts of Christianity, and is a sure accompaniment of an unbroken condition of the soul. It is utterly impossible for any one to indulge in a boastful, pretentious, self-confident spirit, if ever he has really measured himself in the presence of God. To be much alone with God is the sovereign remedy for pride and self-complacency. May we know the reality of this in the secret of our own souls. May the good Lord keep us truly humble, in all our ways, simply leaning on Himself and his grace.” —Notes on Deuteronomy, 1869
In Colossians, the apostle Paul gives the following description of our Lord Jesus which affirms John’s words to us in our verses for today:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” —Colossians 1:15–20
Christ came as the perfect visible representation and manifestation of God; He created all things, He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together. Christ is the Head of the body, the church, and Christ has supremacy. He came as the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form, manifesting for us what human eyes were not allowed to gaze upon and live, namely the face of God.
Become More
We must constantly be looking to Jesus in order to experience more of God in our lives, for in the words of H. A. Ironside, “No one has ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.”
“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” —C. H. Spurgeon
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” —C.S. Lewis
How does a focus on Jesus help us to experience more of who God is in our lives?
Further Reflections
“As a blind man has no idea of colors, so have we no idea (how) the all-wise God perceives and understands all things.” —Isaac Newton
God’s thoughts and ways are far superior and above man’s—we see only as a poor reflection, yet He sees fully. God speaks this truth in the words penned by the prophet Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
“No one can dissuade God from His purposes; nothing can turn Him aside from His plans.” —A.W. Tozer