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Friday, March 12, 2010

Nest

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"The Divine Designer"

"How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures" (Psalm 104:24).

Readers who regularly follow this series realize I enjoy both photography and nature.  Nature is a visual testimony of God's creative design. Sometimes this testimony is loud and easily observed. At other times it's barely discernible with much of God's outstanding creation hidden from people's view. Today's photo is of a small nest in our backyard. Do you recognize what type of nest it is? (See below for answer.)

Flying Geese
"How many are your works O Lord, the earth is full of your creatures." This declaration is so verifiable on any nature walk as numerous manifestations of God's works are observable from every direction. Over the last several days we have observed thousands of geese flying north in their typical V pattern. It's a steady noisy stream, week after week, during the approaching spring season. The other night we were sharing with some friends and wondered aloud why one part of the V is always shorter.  I tried to look it up and found this sage bit of wisdom. Question: "So why is one side of the V longer than the other side of the V?"  Answer: "Because there are more geese on that side." Duh!

The middle part of the verse states, "In wisdom you made them all." The devil and his minions mock the Biblical record of origins. Tearing away at this foundation has been a key part of Satan's plot in discrediting God and His plan to redeem His creation.

But God's wisdom in His handiwork is demonstrated all throughout creation, in the unique designs not made by hands. We observe this divine design from the vast macrocosm (the universe) to the minute microcosm (such as a single snowflake or the tiny praying mantis nest pictured above). "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1).

Think about it: Sun, moon, and stars, light and dark, rain and snow, clouds and sun, wind and other demonstrable handiwork that originates from the heavens speak forth the glory and sovereignty of God.  It is an unspoken sermon in living color that is sovereignly demonstrated in our day to day lives. Even the most arrogant among God's creatures realize that they have no ability to control the universe.

Those who devalue the authority of the Bible on any point so easily allow for a domino effect in our view of other Scripture. That is why I'm very wary of any concessions regarding the authority of the Bible. A major issue in which many feel they must concede is in regard to the Biblical teachings concerning origins as taught in Genesis.

But we declare today our steadfast belief that "The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40: 28).  He is the Divine Designer!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we're so grateful for the four seasons that bring a fresh reminder of Your marvelous and inimitable works throughout the universe.  When the fresh spring rains fall to the earth or the strong winds blow the trees and strew the leaves into the air we're mindful of Your mighty power.  Your works are so great and vast that in a lifetime we will see but only a tiny fraction of Your creative handiwork.  In this unstable society we can be assured that You set the earth on its foundations and it can never be moved without Your command.  Your glory is revealed to us as it is declared from the heavens to the ends of the earth.  Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link (usually a Youtube video) to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"Creation Calls"  Video  Brian Doerksen with outstanding video

"God's Glory In His Creation" Video  A brief Bible teaching by John Piper on our daily text along with beautiful photos.  You can hear the teaching but whoever made the video tried to play a vocal song in the background as well. I suppose it's a form of media multitasking!

"All Creatures Of Our God And King"  Video  A sacred version with photos.

"For The Beauty Of The Earth"  Video  A beautiful piano instrumental version.

"This Is My Father's World"  Video  Fernando Ortega

"I Sing The Mighty Power Of God"  Video  This sounds like the Couriers.

"All Things Bright And Beautiful"  Video  

Today's top photo is a closeup of a Praying Mantis Nest.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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