November 12: By Faith
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3
The first affirmation of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 and in our Worship Song of the Month, By Faith, is this: God created the universe.
In recent years, “I believe in Science” has become a rallying cry for some. Indeed, a call to look rationally at what can be qualified and quantified is justified and often needed. Our God is a God of truth and as followers of God, we should desire and affirm objective truth.
But we differ from those who believe that truth ends with what we can see. We believe in an unseen God, who made the visible universe out of darkness. So we look at science through the eyes of faith. If something seems, on the surface, to challenge God’s revealed and true Word, we ask, “How might the scientists be understanding this incorrectly? Might there be another way to interpret the data?” Or, “If the scientists are interpreting this correctly, how might I understand Scripture better in light of this discovery?” We approach all scientific discovery with the underlying belief that, though our knowledge and understanding are incomplete, God and his Word are true.
We should also delight in scientific discovery, because understanding God’s creation helps us to better understand and appreciate God’s character. Romans 1:20 says, “For 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.” And Isaiah 45:18-19 proclaims,
“For this is what the Lord says–he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited–he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.’”
Demonstrated in the world he made, we see God’s power and divinity, faithfulness and purpose, creativity and beauty, mysteriousness and knowability, love and truth. We see him as the one true God. When we affirm that God made the universe, we have a clearer vision of both creation and the Creator.
For Reflection: Read Psalm 33. How should reflecting on God’s power and purpose in creation inspire us in worship? What does it tell us about God’s character? Consider God’s ongoing activity in the world and in your life. How does knowing that God made the universe and continues to act in his creation give us hope in our present circumstances and for our future? Ask God to give you faith–confidence in what you hope for and assurance about what you do not see.
carrie blythe davies 