Tuesday, August 22, 2017

No Cosmic Coincidence

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:16-20 NIV)

The solar eclipse across the U.S. yesterday was an event of a lifetime, particularly if you were one of those who lived or placed yourself in the path of totality.  Millions across the country gathered in parks, stadiums, front yards, and parking lots to gaze into the sky for several hours.  In a time of turbulence for our nation, people seemed united together around this singular celestial event. An event clearly produced by the Lord of Creation.

Have you ever wondered how earth’s small moon can block our view of the much larger sun?  I admit I had never really thought about it until I heard it mentioned during the coverage of yesterday’s eclipse.  It can only happen because of two unique facts: While the sun is 400 times the size of the moon, it is also 400 times farther away from earth than the moon.  Think about that for a moment. Is this just a mere cosmic coincidence?

The phenomenon of a solar eclipse is in line with other ones, such as the precise distance of the sun from the earth prevents us our planet from being uninhabitable due to too much heat or not enough; the precise rotation and orbit of the earth creates our days and seasons; the gravitational pull of the moon creates the conditions for our ocean tides; the earth’s atmosphere existing as it does prevents the deadly radiation of the sun from reaching us and creates the perfect conditions for life, not to mention that we just happen to be created precisely for those conditions (e.g., lungs and noses).  

Much of the world credits “Nature” for these common phenomena, but it is clear from what we experience, and confirmed by the Scriptures, that behind all of these is the God of Creation.  The evidence is so overwhelming that Paul says human beings are without excuse if they refuse to submit to the Lord and give Him the glory that is due Him.

This is why he can boldly proclaim, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”  His courage and boldness comes from what He has seen and experienced in his life—the powerful and transforming work of God!

Today, may you reflect on what you see around you and what has taken place in your life. Can you see the glory of God?  If so, then don’t be cowered by this world into being ashamed of what you believe.  God’s power is clearly evident by both Creation and the Cross.  It is no cosmic coincidence. By His power we are saved and nothing should deter us from proclaiming that eternal truth. 

© Jim Musser 2017

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