Some may ask “who is God?” Would they readily believe the Bible if they read it? Would they question his omnipotence? His omniscience? His omnipresence? Do they even know the meaning of those words? Do they know that God is everywhere all at the same time? Do they know that he knows everything. Everything. Do they know that he sees everything all the time. All at the same time. Do they know that God is and was and will always be.
If someone searched the galaxy with a telescope, would they be able to spot God in the constellations he created? If someone put the DNA of a flower under the microscope, would they find God on each petal? If someone listened to the crash and roll of a thunderstorm, would they hear God? Would they see God in the flash of lightning? When looking at the ultrasound of a pre-born baby, can they spot God? The proof is everywhere. It’s right in front of our eyes. God created the world, and he created it out of nothing.
How do people deny there is a God when they don’t even search for him? When they say he doesn’t exist, how do they know? What makes them so sure they’re right? Why do atheists have faith in nothing? What makes them believe they’re right?
And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. Isaiah 52:15
God doesn’t share all his secrets with any of us. He keeps them to himself. But there will be a day when he shows his hand for all to see. Then and only then will we know him. He’s given us his word that all his promises will be fulfilled. He has made the truth obvious to us, so there is no excuse for not knowing him.
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:18-23
Oh. The Ancient of Days worthy of all our praise. The Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. You’ve seen everything since before you created the earth. All creation was performed by your hands. You’ve seen every liar and cheater and glutton and adulterer. You’ve seen the prophets and preachers and teachers. You’ve seen those who have bowed and worshipped you for many, many years, and you’ve seen those who have turned their backs on you and never repented.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8
You’ve seen the sun come up each morning and then set each evening. You’ve witnessed every snow storm and rainfall, every tornado, hurricane, tsunami and earthquake. You’ve noticed every seed that was planted. You’ve watched every flower that bloomed, every animal that has walked the earth, and every bird that’s flown the air. Every fish that has swam the ocean blue and rivers and ponds and lakes were seen by you. You’re in the roar of a lion and the chirp of a bird.
You know each one of us by name. You know the number of hairs on each head. You’ve grieved with us as we’ve grieved. You celebrate when we celebrate. You long for a relationship with every soul you created knowing that not everyone will turn to you. The amazing thing is that you show love to every one of us. You’ve loved us with an everlasting love. Your love will never die.
You’ve shown mercy and grace and compassion beyond what we deserve. And you also judge fairly and squarely. You have never shown favoritism, but you will reward those who honor you and bow at your name. Because of your great love for us, you sent your son into a world full of chaos, turmoil and trouble. You sent him in a human form as a baby to a mother who had known no man. You watched as she and her husband raised him as their own. Yet he was your only son. In his short thirty-three years on earth, he honored you. He never wavered in his obedience to you.
Your son was human, yet he was God. He had the ability to turn from your will, but he bowed his human body and his will in respect and submission to you. You want to spend eternity with every man, woman and child you created. Only by laying down your son’s life could you give us eternal life.
So Ancient of Days, we praise You and thank You and surrender to you as we celebrate the birth of your one and only Son. In Your name, we give you the praise and honor and glory that is deserved only by you. In humble adoration and submission to your will, it is in your name we pray. Amen.