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The Heavens Declare the Glory of God, February 9
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork.
Psalm 19:1
.
The Creator has given abundant evidence that His power is unlimited, that He
can establish kingdoms, and overturn kingdoms. He upholds the world by the word
of His power. He made the night, marshaling the shining stars in the firmament. He
calls them all by name. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
showeth His handiwork, showing men that this little world is but a jot in God’s
creation....
The inhabitants of the unfallen worlds look with pity and reproach on man’s
pride and self-importance. The wealthy and the honored of the world are not the
only ones who glorify self. Many who profess to revere God talk of their wisdom
and their might. They act as if God is under obligations to them, as if He cannot
carry on His work without their aid. Let such gaze into the starry heavens, and
with admiration and awe study the marvelous works of God. Let them think of the
wisdom He displays in maintaining perfect order in the vast universe, and of the
little reason that man has to boast of his attainments.
All that man has—life, the means of existence, happiness, and other blessings
unnumbered that come to him day by day—is from the Father above. Man is a
debtor for all he proudly claims as his own. God gives His precious gifts, that they
may be used in His service. Every particle of the glory of man’s success belongs to
God. It is His manifold wisdom that is displayed in the works of men, and to Him
belongs the praise (
Youth’s Instructor, April 4, 1905
).
By and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God’s children, and
from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on their ears like richest
music, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world” (
Matthew 25:34
).
Then the redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for
them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth, liars, idolaters, the impure,
and unbelieving; but they will associate with those who have overcome Satan and
through divine grace have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency, every
imperfection, that afflicts them here has been removed by the blood of Christ, and
the excellence and brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun,
is imparted to them (
Steps to Christ, 125, 126
).
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