6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

As Bible students, it is easy for us to take certain stories for granted to the point that we ignore them. The story of creation is one of those. We have studied it so many times. We have argued it with others to prove creation as opposed to evolution. We have taught it to our children to ground them in the basic concept of God as all powerful. In the process it is easy for us to allow it to loose some of the real meaning that must stay with us and in us. The more we can put the greatness of God in our hearts and try to realize his power, his majesty, his knowledge and wisdom, the more we will truly reverence him. The more we reverence him the more we will want to worship him and make him our Lord and follow his will.

If all we knew about God was that he had created all things by his word and nothing else, it would be right for us to revere him and worship him. But when we add to this his love for us why would we not make him first in our lives? He did not just create us and then leave us to do the best we can or to fend for ourselves in this world. He did not just make us to live a while and then die and that be the end for us. He has prepared a place for us in his presence that is beyond our imagination and ability to comprehend. Jesus calls this place the “joys of my Father”.

But not only has he prepared this for us but he has made it possible for every one of us to be there and enjoy it into eternity. The only requirement for us to inherit this place called heaven is that we be perfect, totally sinless. 

While this is impossible for any of us to do on our own, since we have all sinned against God, it is attainable with his provision. This way of salvation is provided in what Paul calls the gospel. He explains this by saying that Jesus became sin for us that we might be righteous. In him alone is eternal life.

O God, help me to ponder your greatness as I observe your creation all around me each day. Help me to never take for granted your power or your majesty. But most of all help me to accept your gracious gift of eternal life with you when this life is done. I thank you for your love and grace in giving your Son to die in my place. Help me to live for you. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we allow him into our hearts today.