"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, for the creation was  subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now"

Romans 8:19-20 NRSV

The birds of the air and trees of the earth often have more sense than man. All of creation bows to God's lordship in suffering and change. The earth yields to its position, to its weakness and its upheaval. The creature bows to the Creator's right to choose its placing. The whole scheme of creation, God formed out of His thoughts. Galaxies, universes, stars, right down to plants, bugs, and the smallest creature: all submit to His will and order.

Nature lives simply within His providence and therefore displays His majesty and reveals His glory. Nothing speaks so loudly of His grandeur than the stars in the sky that abide in the will of His placement. Nothing shines so brightly in the dead of night as the moon whose non-resistant rotation rules the earth and its seasons.

To Adam He said... "Cursed is the ground because of you." Gen 3:17

Our sin (through Adam and Eve) caused nature to fall along with us. Now it is subjected to the curse of decay, death, and disease just as we are. Yet it groans in eager anticipation for the sons of God to be revealed. Nature accepts its subjection to frustration, in hope that it will one day be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

At Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem people threw before Him their cloaks and waved palm branches proclaiming "Hosanna, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." They rejoiced before Him but some Pharisees demanded that Jesus put an end to this display. In reply Christ answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" Matthew 21:6-11 Luke 19:35-40

What an awesome statement! Imagine: if man were to shut his mouth and fail to praise God, the very earth would erupt to give glory to Him.

Creation does not enjoy the choice to bow or obey. Man only is given that right. But as we look at the lower levels of creation, we can see, even in the apparent conflict of nature, a level of harmony that is not present in humanity.

We claymade vessels of earth breathe only by the grace of God. Yet amazingly we can stand in opposition to the Almighty as ones who know better.

I resist His chosen path, limitations and all, like a spoiled child. I struggle against the hand of God as He sets me in my position of most fruitfulness. His will and thoughts set up the circumstances that circle about us like the constellations and our resistance according to our opinion only creates a season of barrenness.

Consider these thoughts that can erupt from the seat of man's throne.
"I can serve the Creator by works and service to insulate myself from the Creator so He can't get at me and spoil my order."
"I am able to fashion a world all about me to give the appearance of loving God in order to avoid having to engage Him on His terms."
"I can refuse the embrace of the Lord because of fear of being out of control and left alone without an embrace."

Do you see the futility and ignorance poised in resisting His will and design? Proverbs says, "A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps." Prov. 16:9 But we have been given the freewill "right" to choose. We all have the choice to give ourselves into God's hand, abide in His purpose, and become a vessel of His radiance.

I contend that if nature; awe inspiring heavens with stars and planets hung in the sky, the placement of rock and sand creating magnificent mountains and canyons, directed waters creating splendid falls and all the like. If these masterpieces having no choice, yet still display His majesty, how much more, created beings fashioned in His image; His very own children, whose submission and bow can bring forth His unmasked brilliance. We obscure His splendor. Nature does not.

His choosing our limitation or exaltation, our crippling or bolstering, He is still Lord. Our near-sightedness is nothing to His providence.

Dan. 12:3   "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those     who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Copyright ©  John Enslow