The heavens declare the glory of God…the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:1,8).
King David’s Psalm speaks of nature’s message about God—and it also speaks of another message. We “see” not only by the lights God placed in the heavens. We see also by another light, a spiritual light, “the commands of God.” To know God, man needs more light than nature alone gives.
Nature Alone Is Not Enough
Nature has many valuable lessons for us. The amazing order in all things, living and nonliving, tells us of wisdom and power far, far higher than ours. Our hearts reach upward in praise. “Laws of nature” are always so steady, so dependable, that we are led to believe that the great Law-Giver can also be trusted.
Nature also raises many questions. For example, since God is so great does He care about us who are so small? Some have felt that He is too high and too distant to think about people on earth. Therefore, they have turned to things of this earth, or to other spirits, for help in times of need.
Others feel that God is against them. They say, “If plenty of food is a sign of God’s kindness, then what does the lack of food mean? In our times of suffering and death, has God changed from His kind ways?” Nature by itself does not give us important details about God’s character and thinking. It does not tell us how to approach Him. It raises the questions, but does not give the answers we need.