Spotlight 10/2017: Masterpieces non-stop
District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya is fascinated by the wisdom of God and its potential. Food for thought from East Africa with references to a king, a pilot, and eagles.
To glorify God also means to honour or show respect to God for the wisdom in His works. God is to be honoured for the wisdom displayed in His works. Psalms 139: 14 is attributed to King David who made his affirmation of God’s extraordinary wisdom in such a beautiful way: “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvellous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Like King David, sometimes it is necessary to sit down and think about the works of God. The development of human life alone is a marvellous work and deserves honour and much respect. God has provided a way that His creation can propagate itself in such diverse ways. And that is a masterpiece.
One day on a local flight, the pilot of the small aircraft started reading a newspaper. The old man sitting behind him noticed and immediately began sweating, but he did not say a word. When the pilot noticed the passenger’s concern, he calmed him down with the words, “Don’t worry, this aircraft knows the way home. It is capable of thinking by itself to an extent.” The old man then calmed down. That is what modern technology can do these days. But this is only the work of human hands and a product of his intellect. Man can create such marvellous works only because he has been created in the image of God.
When God spoke to Job, He made it clear to him that He is the author of all the wonders of creation: near, far, and invisible. In Job 38 he asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” He goes on to ask, “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high?” (Job 39: 26–27). Job was unable to answer God’s questions except to mutter a few words at the end: “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth” (Job 40: 4).
The more we think about God’s works, the more we realize how wise He is. And we want to glorify Him by respecting what He has created.
Photo: Oliver Rütten