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The Law of Life for the Universe, February 1
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are
the work of your hands.
Psalm 102:25
, NIV.
In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation. It was Christ
that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth. It was His hand that
hung the worlds in space, and fashioned the flowers of the field. “His strength setteth
fast the mountains.” “The sea is his, and he made it” (
Psalm 65:6
;
95:5
). It was He
that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth,
and air, and sky, He wrote the messages of the Father’s love.
Now sin has marred God’s perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even
now all created things declare the glory of His excellence. There is nothing, save
the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal
that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of
the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and
leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could
live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The
flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing to the world. The sun
sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our
springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The
mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring
forth and bud.
The angels of glory find their joy in giving—giving love and tireless watchcare
to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they
bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry
they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ
which is even closer than they themselves can know.
But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking
unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. “I do nothing of myself,”
said Christ; “the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father.” “I seek not
mine own glory,” but the glory of Him that sent Me. In these words is set forth the
great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received
from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all
created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through
the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of
all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the
character of the great Giver, the law of life (
The Desire of Ages, 20, 21
).
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