Twice Revealed ~ Psalm 104

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle” Psalm 104:14 NKJV

              There are many constants in this world.  Things that, just as the sun rises and sets each day, will occur with tremendous rhythm and regularity.  And one of those is the green grass growing.  And what beauty and elegance lies in the simplicity of grass.  Merely look upon the beauty of an endless rolling field, the grass gently swaying in a breeze that caresses it into a melodic and hypnotic dance.  Or look to the beauty of grass carefully manicured upon a course of golf, the blades carefully tended by man into fairways, greens, and roughs, all different grasses trained into bringing forth grandeur utilizing their own specific gifts.  Or maybe even take a glance at the glorious grass that lies directly in front of your own home.  The rich, emerald blades of St. Augustine being nourished by the recent nitrogen rich rain, stand tall and glisten in the beams of the sun that nourish and encourage them to continue in their growth.  Yes, grass seems common, but in all honesty, just as with all of God’s creation, if seen with the right eye and the right heart, a little green miracle can be witnessed.  Or as the great 19^th century English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon is quoted, “watch but a blade of grass with a devout eye, and you may see God at work within it.”

              Theology is defined as the study of God.  As you progress deeper into theology, encountering systematic theology, you will encounter a fascinating couple. A couple of ways in which God chooses to show and display Himself to His creation.  And speaking of, this universe and everything within it must have been created by a mighty hand.  Regardless of modern attempts at explaining creation, the possibility of the entire universe, planets, ecosystems, life, and the daily maintenance of all that life, all happening by accident is, well, ludicrous in its logic-defying supposition.  And it just so happens that the Being that created it all, has indeed surfaced and has chosen to reveal Himself and take full credit for what He created.  And to return to that fascinating couple mentioned above, God reveals Himself to His creation in two very clear manners.  General revelation and special revelation.  Let’s take a look at both.

              General revelation.  The word revelation simply means “to reveal, unveil, or make known.” So, for example, the last book of the Bible, Revelation, is a book in which God “reveals, unveils, and makes known” His plans for the end of this planet and life upon it as we currently know it.  Realizing the proper definition of that word, what must God’s general revealing of Himself to His creation be?  Well, merely look around you today for a big, fabulous hint.  For God is constantly revealing the wonder of Himself to His creatures through the wonder of His creation.

              Why is it that a sunset can take your breath away, making you reach for your camera in an endeavor to capture the beauty of the moment?  Why is it that time spent sitting in the tranquility of a towering forest impacts you so, calling you to write a poem about how it makes you feel?  How is it that a few hours spent meandering along a deserted stretch of sandy beach, listening to the turquoise waves serenading the deep-blue sky, can leave you feeling so inspired that you desire to paint an homage to it?  Why is it that as you encounter regal and rough mountain faces, that you simply pause in your being, trying to fully absorb the grandeur of what your eyes are attempting to describe to your brain?  And to trump it all, why is it that as you stare into the face of a newborn infant, possibly even your own son or daughter, you feel your very soul stop in place and wonder at the miracle that is life?  Folks, creation is no accident.  It did not occur randomly when random things collided randomly by chance.  God, the creator of everything that has ever been created (Colossians 1:16) has shown up to take credit for His very good work…“and God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31aESV)  The only question that revolves around general revelation is not whether God made it all, but will you believe it or create and choose a different version that pleases you more?

              Special revelation. If the first revealing, general revelation, is God physically revealing Himself to His creatures (both those that confess He is God and those that reject Him as God and Creator), then special revelation is a specific communication to the souls of His creatures that are seeking to know their God personally.  And the primary means in which God chooses to reveal Himself in special revelation is through His very voice to His creatures...His Words.  And that would be through the Word of God, the scriptures, the Holy Bible, the most beautiful love letter ever written.

God did not create a world and everything in it to simply abandon it.  He left His creatures a collection of 66 books written by over 40 Holy Spirit inspired authors over a span of some 1500 years.  It contains 1,189 chapters and 31,102 verses in which God reveals Himself, His attributes, His Son, and His plan to redeem all sinners that choose to whole-heartedly accept His plan of salvation.  Folks, God is not some mysterious being that is choosing to play hide and go seek with the world he created.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  He has made Himself more than known, more than visible, and more than available.  That is, for those that are truly seeking Him with all of their heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

              Friends, within God’s special revelation to His creation, lies a central truth about His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that must be either accepted or rejected.  And no, there is no third option.  There is no, “I will wait until later to make a decision about Jesus”.  That is a no.  There is no, “I need more time to do my own research about this Jesus.”  That is also a no. 

Friends, God is crystal clear in His special revelation to all humans.

Number one.  Every person is born with an inherited sin nature (Romans 7:14), cannot control their sin (Romans 8:3), desires to go their own way (Isaiah 53:6), and because of that sin, they are not capable of being perfect in the eyes of a perfect and Holy God (Romans 3:10).

Number two.  Your sin separates you from being in God’s presence (Isaiah 59:2).

Number three. But God made a way for His creatures to be reunited with Himself in heaven for eternity by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, here in human flesh to die as the perfect sacrifice for all sinners and then be raised to life three days later, triumphing over the death of sin forever (John 3:16). 

And number 4. To receive this free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, you must simply admit that your sin carries an eternal death penalty, repent of that sin, and in faith, ask Jesus to be the Lord of your heart, your mind, and your heart (Romans 10:13).

              Folks, God reveals Himself in the sunrise as well as through His Words to His creation.  But the difference is, you cannot receive salvation through God’s sun, only through His Son.  And to do that God clearly reveals a way.  The only question that looms large is how will you react to God’s way of salvation?  We are not physically long in this world, but God has a made a way for the souls of all of His created humans to abide with Him in His home, heaven, for all of eternity.  It is free for us, but it cost Christ ever so greatly.  I pray you choose salvation today as God has revealed it…only through Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Blessings to you as you seek the Lord ~ Dan

“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Romans 2:6-8 ESV

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”  Matthew 7:13-14

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36

"hierve el agua", Oaxaca, Mexico