Seeing God in Creation 在创造中看到上帝

[Dexu Xia]

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5

Today's Scripture    Job 42:1-6

Today's Insights    Job’s friends insisted that his suffering was caused by his sins (Job 3-37). Job relentlessly defended his innocence and sought his vindication from God (23:1-7). Instead of answering his questions, however, God asked Job a series of questions pertaining to His creation (chs. 38-41). Instead of providing an explanation as to why He permitted evil and suffering in this world, God revealed His character.

Job didn’t need to fully understand God’s ways, for no man can (Isaiah 55:8-9). He only needed to humble himself, seek to know God deeply, and trust Him wholeheartedly. His suffering taught him to run to God as the only sure place of refuge—the safest place to go for comfort, sustenance, and strength (Job 42:2-6). Job wasn’t given a reason for suffering, but he discovered that when life comes out short, God is enough (see Psalm 23:1, 4).  Find out more about why we believe in a God who allows suffering.

Today's Devotional

Kenny stood before the congregation he’d left years before after he’d lost faith in God. He shared that his belief had been restored. How? God had touched his heart through the beauty and design he saw in creation. Kenny was in awe of Him once more through the witness of God’s general revelation seen in the natural world, and he now embraced the wisdom found in the special revelation of Scripture. After sharing his story, Kenny stepped into the tank of water at the front of the sanctuary. His father, tears of joy in his eyes, baptized him based on his faith in Jesus.

After he’d lost much in life, Job’s faith had also been shaken. He said, “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look” (Job 30:20 ). God “spoke to Job out of the storm” (38:1), declaring that it wasn’t about Him not seeing Job but that Job’s vision needed to be expanded as he considered God’s amazing, intricate creation. The “earth’s foundation” and the “morning stars” (vv. 4, 7) and all the creatures, plants, and waters found between (vv. 8-41), pointed to the one whom Job could trust—the God of amazing love and power. Job responded by saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (42:5).

When doubts threaten your faith in Christ, consider the magnificence of God’s creation. He reveals Himself in it if we only have eyes to see.

Reflect & Pray

How has God revealed Himself in creation? How are awe of God and faith in Him linked?

Creator God, Thank You for helping me see You in creation.

我从前风闻有你，现在亲眼看见你。约伯记 42:5

    今日经文：约伯记 42:1-6

今日心得：约伯的朋友坚持认为他的苦难是由他的罪孽造成的（约伯记 3-37）。约伯坚持不懈地捍卫自己的清白，并寻求上帝的辩护（23:1-7）。然而，上帝并没有回答他的问题，而是问了约伯一系列有关创造的问题（38-41章）。上帝没有解释为什么他允许这个世界上存在邪恶和苦难，而是揭示了祂的性格。约伯不需要完全理解上帝的方式，因为没有人能做到（以赛亚书 55:8-9）。他只需要谦卑自己，寻求深刻地了解上帝，并全心全意地信任他。他的苦难教会他向上帝求助，因为上帝是唯一可靠的避难所——寻求安慰、支持和力量的最安全的地方（约伯记 42:2-6）。约伯没有得到受苦的理由，但他发现当生活变得艰难时，有上帝就足够了（诗篇 23:1, 4）。

今天的灵修： 肯尼站在他多年前离开的会众面前，当时他失去了对上帝的信仰。他说，他的信仰已经恢复了。怎么恢复的？上帝通过他在创造中看到的美丽和设计触动了他的心。肯尼再次通过见证上帝在自然界中的普遍启示而敬畏上帝，现在他接受了圣经特殊启示中的智慧。分享完他的故事后，肯尼走进了圣所前面的水池。他的父亲眼含着喜悦的泪水，按照他对耶稣的信心为他洗礼。

在生活中失去了许多东西之后，约伯的信仰也动摇了。他说：“神啊，我求告你，你不应允；我站在你面前，你也不看我。”（约伯记 30:20）那时，上帝“从风暴中对约伯说话”（38:1），宣称不是他没有看到约伯，而是约伯的视野需要扩大，他需要思考上帝令人惊叹的复杂的创造。“地的根基”和“晨星”（4、7节）以及地上所有的生物、植物和水（8-41节）都指向约伯可以信任的那一位，那位拥有令人惊叹的爱和力量的上帝。最后，约伯回答说：“我从前风闻有你，现在亲眼看见你。”（42:5）

当怀疑威胁到你对基督的信仰时，想想上帝的创造何等雄伟壮丽。上帝在祂的创造中彰显自己，只要我们有眼睛可以看。

 反思与祈祷

上帝如何在创造中显现自己？对上帝的敬畏与对他的信仰如何联系在一起？ 造物主上帝，感谢您帮助我在创造中看到您。