The Great Revelation

“the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
1 John 1:2-4, NKJV

Manifested is a big word, but it has a very simple definition. The Greek word for manifested is phaneroo meaning to appear, manifestly declare, to render apparent. Webster’s Dictionary defines manifested as to make clear, evident, show plainly, reveal, or to prove. Let’s begin today by looking at some of the ways God manifests or reveals Himself to us.

There are many different ways He has done this, but over the next few days we are going to look at three in particular.

I. He has revealed Himself to us through His creation.

"But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?”
Job 12:7-10, NKJV

You can look all around you and see the mighty power of God. In every bird that flies, every fish that swims, in every flower that blooms, in every newborn baby that cries, there is evidence of the hand of God at work. Creation screams out His majesty. God created this world for us to enjoy.

My children love to play outside. Will, my youngest, just wants to run and play. Give him a stick and he’s as happy as a lark. He’d much rather squish a bug than look at it. But, my oldest daughter Hannah soaks up everything. She would sit for hours and watch a tiny ladybug crawl around in the grass if she could. And, of course, she’d ask a million and one questions. She loves to go exploring in the woods with her daddy and find new things. When she was little bedtime prayers consisted of lists of thank you’s from her. She would thank God for the clouds, and the trees, and the sun, and the birds, and she go on and on and on. At first, I would get a little irritated, but then it hit me one night as I was walking out of her room, God DID create this earth for us to enjoy and we should stop and thank Him for it. Oh, how our child often bring things into perspective for us!

When was the last time you went exploring through the woods or watched a ladybug crawl by? Stop right now and thank God for creating this earth for you to enjoy.

"The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."

Psalm 24:1, NKJV