Don’t you love to ponder God’s creation and His creative powers? There are multitudinous things at which we marvel that proclaim God’s glory.
• Marvel at the power of God, Who simply spoke and it was done! (Genesis 1)
• Marvel at the wisdom of God, Who designed every living thing with incredible intricacy and complexity.
• Marvel at the love of God, Who made everything perfect and beautiful for our enjoyment and use.
• Marvel at the precision and care of God, Who calls the estimated one septillion stars by name and keeps each one in its place. (Isaiah 40:26)
• Marvel at the immensity of God, Who measures the seemingly infinite universe with the span of His hand. (Isaiah 40:12).
• Marvel at the imagination of God, to create such variety and diversity of life.
• Marvel at the personal touch of God, Who cared enough to form Adam and Eve with His own hands in His own image.
When you think of creation, however, don’t think only of a past great act of God. Creation is also a present marvel that is taking place every day. Though the Bible says, “God rested on the seventh day” and that He “ceased from His works” (Hebrews 4:4, 10), it also speaks of Him creating each new person. “This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” (Psalm 102:18) “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30) So king David also says,
“For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
You are not just a product of nature. It is true, God created mankind and all living things with the ability to reproduce according to their kind. But more than that, God personally formed you in your mother’s womb. You are His special creation.
Doesn’t that give you even more reason to thank and praise God, that you are so “fearfully and wonderfully made”?
If everyone understood that and praised the Lord Who formed us in the womb, there would be no need for laws prohibiting abortion, for all people would treasure and cherish the life that God creates. Everyone would know that every fetus is a special work of God’s hands and wouldn’t dream of destroying the work of God.
King David goes on, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there are none of them.” (Psalm 139:16) A fetus is not just a growth that can be removed, it is a new individual and God already has a purpose and a plan for that life.
Such knowledge will also guard us against two other dangers.
We will not pride ourselves in our own abilities, as if we have made ourselves great. Rather, we will give glory to God Who made us and gave us all things. As Paul says, “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
It will also protect us from self-deprecation and envy, thinking we are no good and wishing we would be more like someone else that we admire. Instead you will know that God made you the way you are for His purpose.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Give all thanks and praise to God, Who created you; and consider how you can best use your life to serve Him.
David Reim is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Vernon, British Columbia.