| I think most Christians cringe when they | | | | pales to the majesty of the Lord, their |
| overhear someone giving credit belonging to | | | | creator. In Nahum 1:3 we are told: |
| God to "Mother Nature." This mythical | | | | |
| personality is often lauded for a beautiful | | | | "…and the clouds are the dust of his |
| snowfall, a field full of wild flowers or a | | | | feet…" |
| romantic moon-lit night. Having been set | | | | |
| free by the Spirit of the Living God | | | | Some time ago while teaching an adult Sunday |
| believers know that nature is the handiwork | | | | school class, I told the class that I was |
| of God and while the systems of the world may | | | | going to ask a question and the first one to |
| run on automatic, it is God who created them | | | | answer it correctly would receive a prize. I |
| and who ensures that they run at all. | | | | told them that I was going to do this because |
| | | | I wanted to prove to them that the secular |
| The world is indeed a beautiful place and God | | | | teachings of evolution were influencing even |
| alone deserves the credit for it. Some would | | | | the minds of born again believers. |
| argue, that we were told by the Lord to love | | | | |
| not the world or the things that are in it. | | | | I added a reward to the question to ensure |
| Doubtless, he was speaking of the secularity | | | | they did not have time to consider their |
| of the world system and not the beauty that | | | | answer. I wanted them to answer |
| he created. Each raindrop, each star, each | | | | spontaneously so that I could make my case. |
| gust of wind is a testament to his greatness | | | | |
| and are for our enjoyment and his praise. | | | | The question was "Who can tell me where |
| | | | diamonds come from?" As anticipated, hands |
| Consider for instance, the significance of | | | | flew up all over the room, but one bold woman |
| clouds? Besides being beautiful and | | | | who obviously wanted the prize more than |
| captivating, they play a huge role in our | | | | anyone else, just blurted out her answer; |
| daily lives. If there were no clouds, this | | | | "they are pieces of coal that have been under |
| world would be quite a different place. The | | | | pressure for millions of years." |
| singer Joni Mitchell captured much of the | | | | |
| essence of clouds in her hit song on the | | | | It was undoubtedly the same answer that most, |
| topic, but even she fails to quantify their | | | | if not all of the others were going to give, |
| real significance. | | | | but upon hearing it said out loud, we |
| | | | experienced a type of group epiphany. Every |
| Clouds are more than the fodder of songs and | | | | student sort of groaned and said "oh no, I |
| paintings. They are the evidence of God's | | | | see what you mean" or words to that effect. |
| environment at work. When clouds are | | | | One by one they realized that they had |
| present, we know that the checks and balances | | | | unconsciously accepted evolutionary theory as |
| of God's nature are in play. Cold and warm | | | | fact. (By the way, no prize was awarded, |
| air masses push against each other, creating | | | | since no one offered the right answer). |
| weather systems that water and cleanse the | | | | |
| earth. | | | | Christians are enlightened by the Holy Spirit |
| | | | through an understanding and discernment that |
| Whether viewed from above from an airplane | | | | unregenerate people do not enjoy. Still, we |
| window or from below while laying on a grassy | | | | have the flesh factor and we are subject to |
| hill at one's leisure, clouds are magnificent | | | | the influences of the wicked one, often in |
| to behold. They sometimes hang low to the | | | | such subtle ways that we do not even |
| ground and at other times climb to the | | | | recognize it until faced with an opportunity |
| heights of heaven. They take familiar shapes | | | | like we had in our class. |
| and forms and we marvel at their beauty. | | | | |
| | | | The entire first chapter of Nahum speaks to |
| They can unleash unbelievable power. | | | | the wonder and might of God and gives him |
| Sometimes this power is destructive, even | | | | credit for everything good in this world. |
| lethal, but more often it is helpful and | | | | It rightfully names him and him alone as |
| life-giving. Lakes, streams and rivers are | | | | creator and makes the clouds that tower over |
| filled by their moisture and God's creation | | | | us nothing more than the dust beneath his |
| and creatures are replenished. | | | | feet. |
| | | | |
| Indeed, whether bringing havoc to coastal | | | | Believers everywhere need to guard themselves |
| cities or quenching the parched desert, | | | | against the secular philosophy of this world |
| clouds are significant to our world. They | | | | and pay due homage to the one who created all |
| are critically important to life and the | | | | that we see. Attempts to usurp the rightful |
| myriad ecological systems that comprise life | | | | praise due to God via Mother Nature, Santa |
| on this earth. | | | | Clause, the Easter Bunny and a host of other |
| | | | imaginary personalities should be rejected |
| Still, as intimidating as a 60,000 foot | | | | and have no place among us. All praise |
| thunderhead can be and as much power as a | | | | belongs to God and God alone. |
| storm system can generate, their magnificence | | | | |