our daily bread

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Dexu Xia

unread,

Sep 18, 2017, 12:52:19 AM9/18/17

to dmcf_dailybread

God’s Radiant Beauty

or since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. Romans 1:20

Lord Howe Island is a small paradise of white sands and crystal waters off Australia’s east coast. When I visited some years ago, I was struck by its beauty. Here, one could swim with turtles and with fish like the shimmering trevally, while moon wrasses drifted nearby, flashing their neon colors like a billboard. In its lagoon I found coral reefs full of bright orange clownfish and yellow-striped butterfly fish that rushed to kiss my hand. Overwhelmed by such splendor, I couldn’t help but worship God.

The apostle Paul gives the reason for my response. Creation at its best reveals something of God’s nature (Rom. 1:20). The wonders of Lord Howe Island were giving me a glimpse of His own power and beauty.

Creation reflects God’s beauty the way a piece of art reflects its artist.

When the prophet Ezekiel encountered God, he was shown a radiant Being seated on a blue throne surrounded by glorious colors (Ezek. 1:25–28). The apostle John saw something similar: God sparkling like precious stones, encircled by an emerald rainbow (Rev. 4:2–3). When God reveals Himself, He is found to be not only good and powerful but beautiful too. Creation reflects this beauty the way a piece of art reflects its artist.

Nature often gets worshiped instead of God (Rom. 1:25). What a tragedy. Instead, may earth’s crystal waters and shimmering creatures point us to the One standing behind them who is more powerful and beautiful than anything in this world.

The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator.

上帝的荣光

自从造天地以来，上帝的永能和神性是明明可知的，虽是眼不能见，但藉着所造之物就可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。-罗马书1章20节

位于澳州东部外海的豪勋爵岛，是个拥有白色沙滩和水晶般海水的人间天堂。几年前我到那里旅游时，不禁赞叹那片绝美的景色。在那里，你可以与海龟和闪亮的竹䇲鱼一起游泳。如同霓虹招牌般的新月锦鱼，也会不时在你身旁穿梭。在潟湖里，我看到鲜橙色的小丑鱼围绕着珊瑚礁，而黄纹蝴蝶鱼则忙着亲吻我的手。因这令人震慑的美景，让我不由自主地赞美上帝。

使徒保罗所说的，解释了为何我有这样的反应。他说，受造之物充分彰显出上帝的属性（罗马书1章20节），正如豪勋爵岛的奇景，就让我一窥上帝的大能与荣美。

先知以西结曾看到上帝坐在蓝宝石的宝座上，周围是闪耀的光辉（以西结书1章25-28节）。使徒约翰也曾看见上帝像宝石般发出光芒，四周环绕像绿宝石般的彩虹（启示录4章2-3节）。上帝不仅彰显出良善和全能，还发出璀璨的荣光。凡受造之物都反映出创造主的荣美，正如艺术品表露作者的特质一般。

但可悲的是，人们却敬拜大自然，而不敬奉那位造物主（罗马书1章25节）。但愿晶亮的海水与银光闪烁的自然生物，能让我们看见那位创造宇宙万物的上帝，祂有至高的能力和荣耀的光辉！