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Last week Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9
earthquake resulting in a tsunami that pushed
thirty-foot-walls of water six miles inland, and
caused damage across the Pacific Ocean as far
away as California.
This devastating event reminds me of God's power.
Nature Discloses God's Eternal Power
God created the universe so that it discloses
His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine
nature.
- "For since the creation of the world
His invisible attributes, His eternal
power and divine nature, have been clearly
seen, being understood through what has
been made, so that they are without excuse"
(Rom. 1:20).
We see God's power in nature, even in horrific
events such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Though
we feel sorry for the pain, suffering, and death
resulting from such events, we glorify God because
these events disclose His invisible attributes,
eternal power, and divine nature.
Nature Demonstrates the Power of God's Word
God created the universe through Jesus by the
power of His word.
- "By faith we understand that the worlds
were prepared by the word of God, so that
what is seen was not made out of things which
are visible" (Heb. 11:3).
- "He is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of all creation. For by Him all
things were created, both in the heavens
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
-- all things have been created through Him
and for Him" (Col. 1:15-16).
And God sustains all that was created by the
power of Jesus' word.
- God, "in these last days has spoken to us
in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,
through whom also He made the world.
And He is the radiance of His glory and the
exact representation of His nature, and upholds
all things by the word of His power" (Heb.
1:2-3a).
- "He is before all things, and in Him all
things hold together" (Col. 1:17).
- "'Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to
receive glory and honor and power; for You
created all things, and because of Your will
they existed, and were created'" (Rev. 4:11).
God's creation demonstrates His power in everything,
especially today with the knowledge that the earth
is spinning over 1,000 miles per hour at the equator,
and moving over 60,000 miles an hour around the
sun. Yet, we feel none of this motion.
It's impossible for me to fully grasp the power
demonstrated by God in creating and sustaining
the universe. But when I contemplate His omnipotence
(that He has limitless power), I realize my mind
is incapable of even beginning to understand God's
power.
- "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a
great multitude, as the sound of many waters
and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying,
'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent
reigns'" (Rev. 19:6, NKJV)!
God's Wrath Reveled From Heaven
By revealing His eternal power and divine nature
through creation, God also reveals His wrath against
ungodliness and unrighteousness.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because that which is known about God is evident
within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes, His eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly seen, being understood through
what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
For even though they knew God, they did not honor
Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile
in their speculations, and their foolish heart
was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became
fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible
God for an image in the form of corruptible man
and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling
creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the
lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their
bodies would be dishonored among them. For they
exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped
and served the creature rather than the Creator,
who is blessed forever. Amen" (Rom. 1:18-25).
No Excuse
So man is without excuse (Rom. 1:20). Each
person is accountable to God for seeking Him out
and obeying Him.
"'The God who made the world and all things
in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does
not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He
served by human hands, as though He needed anything,
since He Himself gives to all people life and
breath and all things; and He made from one man
every nation of mankind to live on all the face
of the earth, having determined their appointed
times and the boundaries of their habitation,
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might
grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far
from each one of us; for in Him we live and move
and exist, as even some of your own poets have
said, "For we also are His children"'" (Acts 17:24-28).
"'Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere
should repent, because He has fixed a day in which
He will judge the world in righteousness through
a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished
proof to all men by raising Him from the dead'"
(Acts 17:30-31).
God's Power Works in His Children
As people who have sought God out and obeyed Him,
we have God's power working in us.
The gospel is the power of God to salvation
to everyone who believes; the word of the cross
is the power of God to us who are being saved;
God's word performs its work in us who believe;
God is at work in us, both to will and to work
for His good pleasure; we are strengthened with
power through His Spirit in the inner man; God
is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that
we ask or think, according to the power that works
within us (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 1 Th. 2:13;
Phil. 2:13; Eph. 3:16, 20).
Conclusion
God's power in nature helps us better understand
Him.
It helps us understand His wrath toward ungodliness,
and His power that works in His children.
Most of all for me personally, it helps me understand
His power to save us from sin, and the power He'll
display for eternity in heaven as we gather around
His throne.
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