34.v. “In the beginning, God created”

 

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  

 Nehemiah 9:6     “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

 Job 38:4    “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

 Psalms 33:6     By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

 Psalms 33:9   For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

 Psalms 104:24    O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

 Psalms 121:2    My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

 Psalms 148:5    Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.

 Ecclesiastes 12:1   Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

 Isaiah 40:26   Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

 Jeremiah 10:12    It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 

 Acts 17:24    The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

 Colossians 1:16-17    For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 Hebrews 11:3   By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

 Revelation 4:11   “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

 Romans 1:19-20   For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Isaiah 65:17   “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

 Revelation 21:6    And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

 Revelation 22:13   I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. (Henry)

The universe was built by the Creator to be his own property; to be the theater on which he would accomplish his purposes, and display his perfections. There is no other reason why the universe exists at all than that such was the will of God; there is nothing else that is to be explained. No one can contemplate this vast and wonderful universe without seeing that He who has made it is worthy to “receive glory, and honor, and power.” (Barnes)

We are not self-existent. We were formed from nothing at the pleasure of God alone. He spoke and all things came into existence. What He has created, He knows, He created it. Everything in heaven or earth that is either seen or unseen was created by God, by His wisdom and power for His pleasure. Even you. This same One and Only God who created heaven and earth and all that is in it created YOU. I am not sure how our free will works into all of this creation, but sure enough, we have been given it to either choose to believe, honor, glorify, worship, trust, obey, follow, and rely upon Him, or to deny, reject, turn away from, refuse, cast aside, dismiss, ignore, shut out, or give at arm’s length. It is in this “free will” where we intentionally choose our eternal destiny of heaven or hell. These too were created by God. How sad is it that multitudes of God’s creations past, present, and future intentionally choose eternal hell in torment forever and ever? Man’s worldly wisdom tries very hard to explain away creation by God and many believe these lies willingly at their eternal demise. Blessed is the person who lives all their days with the single purpose in all they think, say, and do, to bring honor and glory to their Creator, Savior, Redeemer – God.

20.s.”But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

 

Romans 11:25  Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

2 Corinthians 3:14  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Romans 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Israel is a chosen people, blessed by God, and used by God.  Great promises were given to them.  Great miracles and acts of power were shown to them.  Great mercies were given to them.  Jesus, the man, entered into this world through them.  Jesus, the Son of God, came to redeem them and save them from the curse of death. Jesus’s ministry was first to them.  Jesus did many signs and wonders among them. Jesus was rejected by them. The message of the Gospel was proclaimed through them.  After Jesus’s resurrection, they rejected Him again.  Paul is explaining that this mystery of God is all part of God’s plan and purpose.  At some point in the near future Jesus Christ will return and whatever veil has been placed over their eyes of understanding will be lifted and they will come to worship, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ.  This veil has not been placed over (gentile) our eyes of understanding.  No, the Gospel has been made clear and all of creation bears witness to us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that out of God’s grace, love, and mercy He calls out to all of mankind to believe in/on Jesus Christ.  There is no hardening or darkening or veil over us.  We clearly see and, thereby, clearly reject or accept/receive this precious gift of forgiveness, salvation, and redemption through Jesus Christ.  We have no excuse.  When we die and are immediately ushered into eternity and stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment, we will have no grounds to stand on. A person’s receipt/acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ in this life determine one’s destiny for eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.  There is no veil that blocks our understanding of the gift of God through Jesus Christ.  It is out of a pure rejection of God’s grace, mercy, and love whereby we are judged guilty.  God gave us His written Word, sent His Son to pay the price of sin, and did many witnessed and recorded signs, wonders, and miracles so that we would see and know of His love for us.  This is made clear in, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” We are without excuse when we reject this great and precious gift of grace, mercy, and love.

18.r. “And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

John 15:22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: They hated me without a cause.’

 Ezekiel 2:5    And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

 Romans 1:20    For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

 Acts 17:30    The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

 Ezekiel 33:31-33  And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.  And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.  When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

 2 Corinthians 2:14-16   But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,  to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. 

 Luke 12:46    the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.

Because Jesus did come to and speak to the world, they knew something of God that they did not know before. This made them without excuse for hating and rejecting Jesus and His Father in heaven. Jesus did among them the works which no one else did, and they still hated and rejected Him. (Guzik)

People will say and do many things in their lives, some good, some bad, and some irrelevant.  Live has a way of drawing us into things of this world and I guess rightly so.  The hard part is, while in this world, not to be blinded  by its offers of peace, joy, happiness, and purpose.  They are lies.  While we may be part of this world, we live in it, we should not allow it to distract us from humble service, honor, glory, obedience, trust, and reliance in and to Jesus Christ.   

God’s Word is a heavenly scent to those who believe and to those who do not it is either unnoticed or it is a stench to them.  Those that reject the heavenly fragrance from God’s Word reject Him.  Those that reject Him are guilty of sin.  Those that reject Jesus Christ, reject God and are guilty of sin.  Those that reject the heavenly fragrance of the Holy Spirit’s leading to salvation, reject the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God. They are guilty of sin.  “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”  “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.”  “ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

With all that is going on right now in the world our prayer should be for the heavenly fragrance of God’s Word be ever so powerful in our lives and also in the lives of those who do not know Him.  

18.p. “Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.”

Psalm 8:3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

 Psalms 144:3   O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?

 Psalms 111:2    Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

 Romans 1:20     For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

 Isaiah 40:17    All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

Let’s review a little high school science, shall we? First, a light-year. A light-year is a measurement of distance. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second, so a light-year is the distance light travels in one year. If you do the math, that comes out to about 5.9 trillion miles.

So—a light-year is a distance of about 5.9 trillion miles. Obviously, we have no earthly references for such a distance. For example, the distance around planet Earth is only 24,900 miles; the moon is 238,900 miles from the earth; the sun is 93 million miles from earth. None of those numbers come close to the distance of one light-year—about 5.9 trillion miles.

So one light-year is a distance that none of us can really identify with. But that makes the following facts even harder to comprehend.

The galaxy in which planet Earth is found—the Milky Way galaxy—is huge. It contains between 100-400 billion stars, and possibly that many planets. Its diameter is between 170,000-200,000 light-years. Now we’re getting somewhere. One light-year is 5.9 trillion miles, and the Milky Way galaxy may be 200,000 light-years in diameter.

But hold on—we’re not talking about the big numbers yet. Our Milky Way galaxy is part of what is known as the Laniakea Supercluster, a collection of 100,000 galaxies like the Milky Way which stretches out over 520 million light-years. In miles, that is 520,000,000 multiplied by 5,900,000,000,000—a number I can’t compute because I don’t have a calculator that has room for that many zeros! To travel from one side of the Laniakea Supercluster to the other would take 520 million years traveling at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second).

Finally, if you have any breath left, consider this: It is estimated that there are some 10 million superclusters like the Laniakea Supercluster in the known universe.

Is it any wonder that the psalmist, David, wrote, “When I consider Your heavens . . . what is man that You are mindful of him…?” (Psalm 8:3-4) Think about yourself, an individual person. Now think about the immensity of the universe I have just described. God is bigger than the universe He created, yet He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7)! How is it that God is immense and personal at the same time? All we know is that He is. (David Jeremiah)

God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  Why is it that we don’t surrender and lay at His feet all of those hurts, fears, anxious thoughts, and pain?  Certainly, He can do more than we ask or can imagine. He loves us!  He sent His son to redeem us! He has prepared a place for us!  Don’t let the worries and cares and troubles of this world hinder you from seeing and the awesomeness of God.  It is in these glimpses of His majesty that we find new reasons and purpose for hope and faith in Him.

 

Even the valiant man

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distres”

Psalms 107:23  Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;  they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.  They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.  Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.  Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!  Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 

 Psalms 95:5     The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 

 Psalms 104:24-27     O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.  Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.  There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.  These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. 

 Job 38:8-11     “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,  and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,  and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

 Psalms 135:7     He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

 Jonah 1:4     But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.

 Matthew 8:24     And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

 2 Samuel 17:10     Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear 

 Nahum 2:10    Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale! 

 Romans 1:20-21     For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

 Acts 27:23-25     For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,  and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

 Jonah 1:16    Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD

How many times do we need to read of God’s awesome power, divine nature, wisdom, and His control of His creation before we believe it, run to Him, trust in Him and cling to Him.  Do we need to have our world shaken to the point where we are utterly helpless and fearful of our lives before we run to Him?  It is good to spend time in His word, learn of Him, be taught of Him, be led by Him, and rest and trust in His every loving arms.  Let your day be filled with hope, joy, peace, rest and love as you yield more and more to Him.

Not ashamed

“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

Psalms 95:7  For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,  when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

Psalms 48:14     that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Psalms 67:6     The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

Psalms 115:3     Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Exodus 15:2    The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him

Jeremiah 31:33     For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 1:19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Hebrews 3:7  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,  where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’  As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”  Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” – When I think about God not being ashamed, it makes me think a bit about my daily actions and thoughts.  some days it seems as though I am only giving a few nods Gods way.  This is not what life of honor, service, obedience, and full commitment should be like.  Trusting in, relying on, clinging to is not only for times of immediate need.  It is a way of life.

Placed into their heart

John 13:2  During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

Acts 5:3     But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

Ephesians 2:3     among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Luke 22:31     “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat

James 1:13    Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ezra 7:27    Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem,

Nehemiah 2:12     Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:16     But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus

Revelation 17:17    for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Romans 1:19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Note the examples above. Satan temps and places intents in the heart of man.  Yet it also says that man lured away and enticed by his own desires.  Man acts on these temptations, desires, enticements and gives way to them in their life.  What is our hope against such things happening.  The word of God.  His word will bring light to the darkness associated with sin.  It will give knowledge and wisdom to understand things of this world that are contrary to God and as well things of God that are good for the heart, mind, and soul.  Our own sinful nature and it’s desires can not be left on their own for our nature is contrary to God and His ways.  Our help comes from God and through His word of hope, guidance, love, mercy, courage, promises, light, redemption, refuge, peace….  Staying in God’s word is the beginning of the battle for our soul.

Awesome & Mighty God

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host”

“In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.”

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,  which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Isaiah 40:22-26 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

Romans 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Jeremiah 10:11-12 Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Acts 14:16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

Acts 17:23-30 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’  Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Have you ever read scripture and your eyes have been opened to God’s greatness.  These are scripture that were recorded over thousands of years proclaiming God’s awesome power and creation.  Our God is alive, awesome in power, and might.  As we end a year and start a new one, begin it with purpose to renew your walk with Him with the choice to humble serve, honor and glorify Him each day.  Discipline yourself to spend time in His word each day and watch (as the old hymn says) “morning by morning new mercies I see.” HAPPY NEW YEAR IN THE LORD

Mindful of man

“to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;  the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever”

 

Psalms 8:3
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalms 144:3
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?

2 Chronicles 6:18
“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!

Job 7:17
What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him,

Isaiah 40:17
All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

1 Peter 2:12
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Romans 1:20
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

David brings out a great thought when looking at creation, and how the sun, moon, stars, and heaven are set in place he says in comparison: “What is man that you are mindful of him?”  We don’t normally think down these lines do we?  Is it possible we approach it as somewhat of an entitlement to have God be mindful of us. Do we look at the heavens and all that is outside of earth and stand in awe of majesty and power of the creator?  This same one and only God has not only created all there is but has promised eternal life to those who believe/trust in the redemptive work of His son on the cross, repent from their past ways and from that moment on live to humbly serve, honor and obey Him.  His creation and promises ought to be always on our mind with thanksgiving and praise.