(by Lorie Codispoti)
Have you ever wondered why God’s LOVE was not something Adam & Eve had to learn about or be reminded of when they lived in the garden, yet God had to put it in writing for us? It wasn’t until His love was questioned & sin separated us from God that we needed to learn & be reminded of His love.
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." (Rms.1:20 NLT)
Though veiled by sin, our world contains enough external evidence to point us to a loving Creator. His fingerprint is everywhere.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork." (Psa.19:1)
I’m not much of a star gazer & my knowledge of all things astronomy wouldn’t impress a moon rock, but I have, on occasion, stared up into the night sky in awe of the God who created such a magnificent display.
As I meditate on the Christmas story, I can’t help but wonder if that “star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright” was something God set in place the day He spoke the heavens into existence (day 4). Was it present before Adam was even created? I think it’s plausible that God fashioned it for a special purpose, long before the fruit even touched Eve’s lips. To think of Him creating this star & then waiting thousands of years to reveal its spectacular light speaks of an unfathomable love, a love that went before us to prepare the way for Salvation to light the darkness in our hearts.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…” (John 3:16)
Speaking of the magnitude of God’s love, theologian, Benjamin Warfield, notes that “world” in this verse is referring to intensity, not size. He said, it’s “… not to suggest that the world is so big that it takes a great deal of love to embrace it all, but that the world is so bad that it takes a great kind of love to love it at all, and much more to love it as God has loved it when he gave his Son for it.”
“For I am the Lord, I do not change…” (Mal.3:6)
From eternity past to eternity future nothing about God varies or changes. (Js.1:17) In our world things are constantly changing. As time marches on circumstances vary, relationships ebb & flow, and our bodies break down. Science confirms that our planet is showing signs of its age as well. Scripture tells us (Rms.8:18-25) that the natural world we live in is groaning under the bondage of corruption. (Sin continues to take its toll.) Believers are also groaning as we persevere through the consequences of a broken world.
Simultaneously, though, we are eagerly waiting for God’s love to reveal another miraculous visitation. Before time began, God had a plan for both of His advents. The next visitation will be the one where the Son of God, the Creator Himself, will “make all things new.” (Rev.21:5)
Look up, church… our redemption is near!
Jesus said, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Lk.21:25-28)
Because “God is love” (1Jn.4:8), there is a new day coming … An eternal day without doubts or questions. No more wondering, longing, & groaning. Once again, the earth & its inhabitants will bask in the unveiled beauty of His presence & enjoy the fullness of His LOVE forever.
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