God The Great Artisan

Because God is the greatest of all artisans there is much beauty to be found in nature. Indeed all of creation is a masterpiece for us to behold. The world is God's magnum opus. The genius or talent of the artist can only imitate or distort what God has done. Man cannot but make an attempt to capture the beauty of things. The thing in and of itself, i.e. creation, is the most pure work of art in all aesthetics. Hear what our Lord says, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Luke 12:27).

Both believers and unbelievers participate in observing the beauty of nature in that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard" (Psalm 9:1-3). It is only the believer, however, that can fully appreciate and rightly glorify God's handy work.

As I walk through the park by my house and behold the mighty majestic Bald Cypress trees, how tall they are and how green their leaves are, I cannot help but that my thoughts avert to God the originator of them. When I smell a magnolia or a gardenia I think of the Lord who alone can make such aromas. As I hear the sound of running water I think of living waters. And when I see a raven I think of how God seems to have them call out specifically to me. Job observes that nature and animals speak truth to us, "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee" (Job 12:7,8).

When I consider what beauty there is on earth and ponder what heaven must be like I say with the psalmist, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4).

Newsletter 1209

Bacon Quote (Of Studies)

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention" (Francis Bacon Of Studies).

Thomas Wilcox Quote

"Be true to truth, but not turbulent and scornful. Restore such as are fallen; help them up again with all the bowels of Christ. Set the broken disjointed bones with the grace of the gospel. Confident Christian! despise not weak saints; you may come to wish to be in the condition of the most despised of them. Be faithful to others' infirmities, but realizing especially your own. Visit sick beds and deserted souls much; they are excellent scholars in experience.

Job 9:15 (Mercy)

"Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my judge for mercy" (Job:915).

Thomas Broooks Quote (Hypocricy)

" A hypocrite is no saint, no holy man in truth, but one that puts on the name of a saint, and outwardly appears to be a saint" (Thomas Brooks The Hypocrite Detected).

Thomas Wilcox Quote (Providence)

"Judge not Christ's love by providence, but by promises. Bless God for shaking off false foundations, for any way whereby He keeps the soul awakened and looking after Christ; better sickness and temptations, than security and superficiality" (Wilcox Honey out of the Rock).

Thomos Wilcox Quote (Legalism)

"Do not legalize the gospel, as if part remained for you to do and suffer, and Christ were but half a Mediator and you must bear part of your own sin, and make part satisfaction" (Wilcox Honey out of the Rock Sermon).

Thomas Wilcox Quote (Grace)

"Christ is the mystery of the Scripture; grace the mystery of Christ"(Honey out of the Rock Sermon).