Whether looking through one’s window or being outdoors after a heavy snow fall, one can only be astounded at the beauty of God’s artistry.  Scientists tell us that each snow flake has its own design.  Can our minds even fathom the awesomeness of that fact?  No wonder the Psalmist declared that … “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Ps 19:1-4 NIV).

That Psalm reveals a phenomenal truth – the knowledge of God saturates the entire earth so that every individual can possess a clear understanding of His existence.  The Apostle Paul addressed this truth in his letter to the Christians in Rome.  Speaking of God’s wrath against the wickedness of mankind, the apostle wrote … “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men 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 men are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20 NIV).  What a marvelous demonstration of His grace and faithfulness … “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). 

Job, living at the time of Abraham, had placed his faith in the knowledge of the true God and His future provision of a Savior.  Though highly successful in business and one of the wealthiest men of his day, Job had to recognize that his knowledge and abilities could not compare to that of God’s.  In grace, God gave Job a lesson in humility by asking him a series of questions … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!  Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:4-7 NIV)?   “Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this” (Job 38:18 NIV). 

Of course, Job could not answer.  He would learn the Biblical principle of humility … “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 NKJV).  Matthew, Jesus’ disciple, said … “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12 NIV).  Though Job’s knowledge was minuscule in comparison to God’s, he, like each of us, could trust by faith the One who created Him and go to the Cross to pay for his sins. 

The psalmist praised the various facets of God’s character and their great value.  He wrote … “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart” (Ps 19:7-8 NIV).  David continued … “The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb” (Ps 19:8-10 NIV). Therefore, … “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Ps 19:14 NIV).  David would declare … “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.  “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” (Ps 139:14-17 NIV). 

Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.