We owe our existence to God and God alone. We did not come into being without Him. The cosmos is another word for the universe. It is called the cosmos because it is seen as an intelligible system of order or a well-ordered whole. The universe could not come into existence unless God himself created it: Psalm33:6, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (English Standard Version). Thus, creation is a visual witness to His presence: Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Nature reveals enough of God to provoke His people to hold Him in awe. The miracle of existence is a gift from above. Without God we cannot exist.
To assert independence from the Maker is to make a delusional statement. He has the ground of His being in Himself: John 5:26, “…the Father has life in himself.” He is independent in his existence. Moreover, God is independent in everything else: His virtues, decrees and divine works, and causes everything to depend on Him. An infant is dependent on his mother for nourishment and animals are dependent on their surroundings for life. Trees and plants rely on the sun and rain. Case in point, every living thing is dependent on something or someone. God remains independent. The universe without God equals nothing. God is so powerful that He made the universe without preexisting matter.
Theologians refer to God as a necessary being. Meaning a being whose very essence is perfect existence. He is self-contained, self-existent, self-sufficient. This is not the case with the cosmos. We are not an accident of nature. The world is not self-explanatory, it points beyond its existence for an adequate explanation of its reality.
God is distinct from His creation. He is not made out of matter like the universe. Yet, we can fellowship and have a relationship with Him. He is a living Person who may be known and related to by human beings in contrast to an impersonal and unresponsive force. He is the Maker, the Preserver and the Ruler of all things. Having all infinite perfections in His being, all creatures owe Him the highest reverence, love and devotion.
Can we count on God? Yes!
- We can call on Him for help: Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.”
- God does really care for you: Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” The God who made the heavens and the earth loves you.
- We are so wonderfully blessed: Psalm 115:5, “May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
- God’s character is love: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
As God’s people, we cannot thank Him enough for His care and love for us. Seek Him in the good times and in the hard times. You will discover that He is not really absent from your life at any time!
George L. Arroyo