Do you know . . .
. . . the approximate number of stars in the sky?
- “Astronomers estimate that the universe could contain up to one septillion stars – that’s a one followed by 24 zeros (1) !”
. . . about the “Goldilocks Zone?”
- That’s what scientists call our perfect position in the galaxy, where Earth doesn’t get too hot or too cold. The distance is “just right” to sustain life (2).
. . . how ocean currents are important to our survival?
- They help regulate Earth’s climate by distributing heat around the globe. They also transport nutrients and oxygen to deep-sea ecosystems (3).
. . . where the tallest mountain is located?
- It’s not Mount Everest—it’s Mauna Kea, part of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount range. It rises 13,800 feet above the Pacific Ocean and extends down to the ocean floor another 19,700 feet, for a total of 33,500 feet—more than a mile higher than Mount Everest (4).
. . . how trees in a forest can stay healthy for centuries without human intervention?
- An underground fungus network connects plants together, allowing for transfer of water and nutrients (5).
I can’t speak for you, but such facts astound me and prompt awed adoration for the Creator of all things.
My amazement expands even further as I read in scripture:
- God knows all those septillion of stars by name (Isaiah 40:26).
- He is the One who set the earth on its [invisible] foundations; it can never be moved (Psalm 104:5).
- God inspired David to include “the paths of the sea” in one of his songs (Psalm 8:8), long before Matthew Maury studied those currents and charted them.
- He covered the earth with enough water to stand above the tallest mountains (Psalm 104:6).
- God has made sure his trees in the deepest forests have been well-watered and nourished since time began (Psalm 104:16).
Photo taken by Paul Saad in the “Cedars of God” nature preserve in Lebanon.
Some trees are well over 1,000 years old, a few even 2,000 and 3,000 years old.
Who is like our God?!
Because of his incomparable power, he could do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Yet his actions are always guided by absolute love, wisdom, and goodness.
But of course, God’s magnificence isn’t limited to his creative genius and immense power to accomplish every good work.
Consider his holiness—his separateness from all else, his perfections above everyone else.
He’s the Only One who:
- can create out of nothing
- has the capacity to rule and sustain the universe
- knows all things, all truth
- can provide eternal life to those who come to him (6)
We see his holiness in:
- the numerous, already-fulfilled prophecies of scripture, brought about with 100% accuracy
- his promises, kept with 100% reliability
- his flawless attributes, at work 100% of the time (7)
Think of all his blessings lavished upon us, the answers to prayer, the difficulties overcome, the miracles bestowed. Your life and mine offer proof of God’s holy faithfulness and lovingkindness.
In fact:
Not since Adam stood up on the earth has God failed a single man or woman who trusted him.
—A. W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous, 44.
Again, my heart responds with awed adoration.
Yet there’s more.
This astounding, wonderful, and perfect God invites us to be holy too.
“Now why would we want to do that?” the skeptic will ask. “Holiness sounds dull and boring!”
In actuality, the process of becoming holy is the pathway to happiness. Yes it is.
Every time God says, “Don’t,” he’s indicating, “Don’t hurt yourself.” When we choose to sin, we’re choosing to suffer (9).
Now why would we want to do THAT?
Some will argue, “But holiness is so hard to achieve.”
That’s where awed adoration comes in, for the magnificence of God’s deeds and the perfections of his character, just as we’ve done in this post.
Why?
The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration.
—J. I. Packer (quoted by Ann Voskamp in 1000 Gifts, 111).
So let’s plant our roots and grow!
Greater happiness awaits.
Endnotes:
- https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/
- https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/what-is-the-habitable-zone-or-goldilocks-zone/
- https://oceanblueproject.org/ocean-currents-map/
- https://www.mos.org/blog/the-earth-around-us/Why-Hawaii
- https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/underground-mycorrhizal-network
- Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:17; 1 John 3:20c; John 3:16
- Isaiah 46:10-11; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 18:30
- James MacDonald, Gripped by the Greatness of God, 36-37.
Image credits: http://www.commonswikimedia.org (2); http://www.flickr (Paul Saad); http://www.picryl.com; http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.canva.com.
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From the Inside Out 
There is nothing greater than our God😄 but your words come close💕
Aw . . . thank you, Kathy. Praise God for his guidance and inspiration!
Nancy, thanks for reminding me in such an elegant way of how amazing our God is. Each day He sets before our eyes the many ways He is worthy to be praised.
Anita
“Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). It’s not hard at all to do when we determine to LOOK! I know this has been a life-habit of yours for a long time. You’re a poster child for praise!
You are so right, Nancy. Our God is an awesome God! 🙂
Indeed!
these are things I think of when walking through the woods knowing my thoughts are on a very very small scale in comparison. Yet knowing this creator of all welcomes my awe and wonder…way beyond me
He’s a compassionate, appreciative Father, Gary!
Beautiful “coincidences,” beautiful Creator!
Indeed, Mitch!
Wow 😮 can you imagine that the Lord of Universe knows each star by name. Such majesty is too wonderful for me to comprehend
Agreed, Brenda. “Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?” (Psalm 113:5-6). Also too wonderful to comprehend? He’s our heavenly Father!
Praise to our awesome Creator. Thank you for sharing of His unique and powerful creativity!!
You’re welcome, Alicia. I’m praising our awesome God with you!
Awed adoration . . . could we ever be in a better state of heart, soul or mind in worshiping and being thankful to God for His infinite love? I think not! Thanks for this reminder of our interdependence with each other and with our Creator God, Nancy. Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Worship does positively impact the state of our hearts, souls, and minds. A psalmist reminds us: “Blessed are those who dwell in your house [your presence], ever singing your praise” (Psalm 84:4 ESV)! We do well to weave worship throughout the day. Of course, I know you do that already. Your blog posts point us to God every week–in worshipful ways.
This could be two blog posts–God’s marvelous creation and God’s holiness. You combined the two themes so well!
Thank you, Linda. No doubt over thirteen years of blogging I’ve handled the two topics separately, but in actuality all his attributes are intertwined, aren’t they. His marvelous creative ability is a facet of his holiness, his holiness is a facet of his goodness, his goodness is a facet of his love, etc. On and on we could go, relating each attribute to all the others. Just one more reason to praise him: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3)!
Amazing!
Indeed he is, Dana–beyond comprehension–and so worthy of our obedience to him and our worship of him.
What a worshipful blog post and draws us into the wonder and majesty of God. septillion? Now that’s a new word for me. beyond our comprehension isn’t it?
Our God and the wonders he performs are indeed beyond our comprehension! “Who can proclaim the might acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise” (Psalm 106:3)? Nevertheless we try!
Awed adoration – I love it, Nancy! Not only for the alliteration and amazing facts but because you put it in the beautiful perspective of God. Thank you!
Such beautiful examples you’ve given us of the greatness of our awe-inspiring God! Aaron and I often watch nature shows. At night before he goes to bed he loves to try to guess an animal sound I play over his monitor and then we watch a video about the animal. Just tonight we watched several videos about butterflies. One scientist said no one knows how Monarchs know how to migrate. I told Aaron that we know because we know that God gave butterflies that ability. We see the power of God in every animal and all over our earth and in space. Our God is truly an awesome God and it’s a joy to worship Him. I love the J. I. Packer quote, too. Thank you for this blessing tonight, Nancy.