Have you heard creation speak? You may not hear an audible voice, yet all of creation is groaning, indicating creation looks forward to the day of Christ, as do believers.
Romans 8:19–23 (ESV) — 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Wow! Did you notice that creation is eagerly awaiting, even longing for the revealing of the sons of God. As creation awaits the glorious happening, it groans as in the pains of childbirth because at present all of creation is in the bondage of corruption, longing to be set free. We can take a lesson from the expectation from creation. But that’s not all.
Luke 19:40 (ESV) — 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem and people were hailing Him as King and spreading palm branches, many of the religious leaders thought it was improper and requested Jesus to tell the crowd to be silent to which He answered as recorded above – that if the people were to be silent the rocks would cry out. Can rocks speak? According to the passage in Romans above, the rocks along with all creation are longing in anticipation of the return of Christ, so it’s very reasonable, although we have a hard time understanding how it could be, that when Christ is given a brief taste of the honor due to Him so that if the people were to hold back their praise, the rocks would cry out. But that’s not all.
We are told that God has revealed Himself in creation, which declares God’s invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature so that everyone is without excuse.
Romans 1:18–20 (ESV) — 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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.
The Psalmist considered the creation of God and the splendor you can’t miss if you just look up into the sky.
Psalm 19:1–3 (ESV) — 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
He doesn’t stop with just the simple declaration of what the heavens are declaring, he goes on in detail. Just look up and notice the magnificent glory of God in the action of the sun.
Psalm 19:4–7 (ESV) — 4 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, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 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.
There’s even more to consider as the prophet Habakkuk reminded the people that they could not hide from their sin because the stones of their houses along with the woodwork would cry out. In other words, if God needed a witness in pronouncing judgment on the people, He could consult with the stones and wood of their houses and they would speak up.
Habakkuk 2:10–11 (ESV) — 10 You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond.
If God needed a witness to His glory or a witness that would condemn sin, He could easily have all of creation cry out. In the meantime, we are to behold how creation lives in expectation of a glorious change that shall take place, as we await that time as well.
2 Peter 3:10–13 (ESV) — 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Just think of that glorious day when the Son of God appears. Wow! What a day that will be. No wonder all of creation awaits that day, including us who groan with creation awaiting the change that will take place. Just think of it.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV) — 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out Bob’s podcast, “The PowerBreak Podcast” wherever you download podcasts or from his website: www.bobbrubaker.com.
