NIV 365-Day Devotional Plan (2017)Sample

An Articulate Creation

We live in tumultuous times of natural disaster. The news carries stories of devastating earthquakes, floods and tropical storms that careen along coastlines and cause massive losses of property and life in the cities, towns and individual households they invade. Amidst screaming natural forces, it may be easy to forget that even the winds and rains submit to God’s voice. Although the natural world does not glorify itself, the booming truths pounding in the surf and soaring through the skies fall on many a deaf ear. But nature’s voice “goes out into all the earth” proclaiming the articulate truth that God is in his heaven and watching over his creation.

In an urban setting, where smog blankets the sky and artificial light dulls the stars, seeing God’s imprint may be difficult. Natural disasters may strike us more as an example of nature’s random savagery than the handiwork of our all-powerful God. Certainly the creation groans under the curse of sin, just as we do. We cannot pretend to understand the reasons for earthquakes, floods or fires, but we do know the One who controls the universe, and we can cling to him amidst the rising waters.

The next time you witness a flower growing between the sidewalk cracks, a raging thunderstorm or a magnificent sunset, remember that creation acts as a signpost, pointing to Someone greater than “Mother Nature.” It reveals the God who wants all people of all nations to recognize his majesty, to worship the One whose infinite creativity and power produced the spectacular displays found in the natural world.

The natural world is a testimony to God’s magnificent creatorship and also should be the object of our diligent stewardship. However, we must flee the two extremes — either fearing nature’s power or worshiping creation and not the Creator. Even today, the creation is God’s universal proclamation of his nature, underpinning his special revelation through Christ and the Scriptures. As women who love and appreciate the beauty of the world, may we always remember to listen closely to the deeper truths of God’s goodness and grandeur that whisper from the rushing stream or shout from the thunderclap.

Taken from NIV Women’s Devotional Bible