The Beauty of Creation

 

We were created by God. We are part of the beauty of His creation. You were created in the image and likeness of God, fearfully and wonderfully made, by the God whose works are beautiful (Psalm 139:14; E22). As created beings, we are created by God to praise His Name. In Heaven, everyone worships God, for honour and glory and praise is rightfully His. Everything in Heaven worships God because He is Creator of all things (Revelation 4:11) and because Jesus (the Lamb) died to redeem us (Revelation 5:11-14). As the Lord of heaven, God gives life and breath and all things to His creation; in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:24-28). He is the foundation of life (Jeremiah 2:13; Psalm 36:9; E13). 'Praise is becoming for the upright' (Psalm 33:1b). It is right to praise Him, the Creator and Redeemer! 

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Understanding who you are created in God's image is a powerful realisation; finding your place within God's purpose is impactful and transformational. We start to see ourselves and the world around us in a new light. In His light we truly see light (Psalm 39:9). C.S. Lewis acknowledged that His belief in God is what helps him see all things in its proper way.

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'I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.'

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Music in itself is beautiful; singing or playing an instrument has many positive effects on us. Even more so then we do it to worship the Source of life and all good things. We are to sing, praise and give thanks to God (Psalm 33:1-2). These aspects to life are beautiful because we place ourselves in an attitude of humility before God. As life with God is an adventure and discovery, the new things we learn to understand make us to sing a 'new song' to God and use instruments to do it (v 3). David even invented many instruments (1 Chronicles 23:5b) in his quest to worship God and arrange worship within his kingdom among God's people (1 Chronicles 13:8; 15:16). In David's day, they were harps and lyres, today we can use the instruments available to us, even 'guitars to reinforce your Hallelujah's!' and the 'grand piano' to praise His Name (Psalm 33:1-2 MSG). What matters to God is not the style, but the purity of heart in worship (see D6). We can express the beauty of God as seen in Creation with worship accompanied by music. You were created to worship God. Finding your rightful place as His child is a beautiful discovery. 

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The Blessing of being God's People

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The nation whose God is Yahweh (The LORD) is blessed (Psalm 33:12). The people He has choses as His inheritance are to the praise of His Name! His people, redeemed as His own, are to 'proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [us] out of darkness into His marvellous light' (1 Peter 2:9; cf., Colossians 1:13-14). It is a privilege and blessing to be called by God's Name. It is also a responsibility. We cannot do evil in His Name. That would be to take (or carry) His Name in vain. Sadly, terrible things have been done by some professing religion. But God's people are to conduct themselves in excellent behaviour (1 Peter 2:12) and not bring shame on God's Name. We are to do what is right in His eyes (3:8-22).

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God's word is true and upright; all His works are faithful (Psalm 33:4). He is righteous and just and therefore loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His lovingkindness (v 5). Despite the reality of evil and suffering, there is beauty in the world, too. God's people are to be light in the world and to bring people to the light of God. Part of our worship as God's people is to do good in the world. It is much more than singing songs. In the New Testament, in view of Christ's redeeming sacrifice for salvation, we are encouraged to 'continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name' (Hebrews 13:15). We see an emphasis on praise and gratitude which are expressions of humility before God. The next verse points to doing 'good and sharing,' which are described as 'sacrifices' that are pleasing to God (v 16). Contextually, we see the direct link between praise and good works. We are saved and created for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are called to be zealous for good works as we express a godly life on earth empowered by God's grace (Titus 2:11-14; see A5). 

 

Living pleasing to God is one of the expressions of worship. It is a blessing and privilege to be part of God's people and we must live up to the responsibility to be light and salt in the world and do the good works that glorify God (Matthew 5:13-16).   

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