Fourth Sunday after Trinity – Monday

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1.

These are the well-known, very first words of the Bible. And the truth they contain, namely, that there is a great, eternal, omnipotent God, who has created heaven and earth, and all that in them is, is a knowledge which every man has by nature. Of all, I repeat it, of all men.  St. Paul says: “That which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20).

And still brazen fools and scoffers, willfully hardening their hearts, deny the existence of this almighty Maker of heaven and earth, and speak of an eternal matter/energy which, of itself, developed and formed into the world and universe around us. They have no excuse for their ungodly foolishness. When God “created” everything in the beginning, He used no preexisting materials, but, out of nothing, He called all things into existence, using words of His almighty power (Hebrews 11:3). How immeasurably great is God!

We confess, as Christians have done down through the centuries, in the words of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” Not only is He our Father by virtue of creation (Malachi 2:10), but, more importantly, He is our loving heavenly Father through gracious adoption by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26). O faith, faith, how highly do you exalt us! If the almighty God is our Father, and we are His dear children, should we not then exult and sing, and always be full of courage, and joyful, and undismayed, and boldly glory in Him, though the world assail us? And should we not then adorn ourselves with holiness and righteousness, well-pleasing unto our God and Father, and befitting us, His children?  “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us [God’s children] that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar [special] people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

PRAYER – O Lord God, whose greatness and might are incomprehensible, who, by Thy Word, didst create heaven and earth out of nothing, what a diminutive grain of dust am I in Thy sight, and what is more, ruined by sin and death. And still, Thou hast made me Thy dear child through Jesus Christ. O Lord, continue to give me a rich measure of Thy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that He may continue to again and again lift me up to Thee, to praise and thank Thee more and more! Amen.

O all ye pow’rs that He implanted, arise, and silence keep no more;

put forth the strength that He hath granted, your noblest work is to adore.

O soul and body, be ye meet, with heartfelt praise your Lord to greet!

                                                                          (Hymn 30, st. 2; TLH)