From the heavens to the earth, into space, and into the intricacies of our smallest cell, God has signed His Name. Every now and then, someone asks me why I believe in God, or why I love Him. I have given a varieties of answers because I have so many reasons for this! The other day, I told someone about the complexities of the universe, of nature, and of our human bodies. Then, there are also the countless miracles that happen every day, and the inescapable love that God pours out over us. I love God because He has so greatly loved me, pursued me, and shown me all the wonders of His hand. I also love being creative, and seeing God work as the Master Craftsman. Proverbs 8-9 speaks about the “excellence” and the “way” of Wisdom, who was with God from the beginning. The Master Craftsman is more than just a creator. He is THE creator, THE designer, and His projects last for eternity. Here are just five characteristics of God, the Master Craftsman.
- He works closely with Wisdom.
[Proverbs 8:22-23] –
“The Lord possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.”
Proverbs tells us that Wisdom was beside God as a Master Craftsman [Proverbs 8:30]. Why is this important? God did not just make the earth on a whim. He used wisdom to create every part of it. He planned all the workings of it, and all the workings of our body. Researchers are being continuously astounded by the incredible feats of nature and of the human body. There are so many new discoveries, and yet so much that remains to be discovered. What about illness and natural disasters? I believe that is the working of sin in this world. Yet, God has planned a day when full restoration will come, and sin will no longer have any effect on earth – no illness, no crying, no more hurting. Even now, we see His grace in the amazing provision He gives us even now – medical discoveries, peace, and the ability to hope and rebuild. We are beautifully and fearfully made, and the whole earth reflects God’s glory.
- His reward is richer than gold.
[Proverbs 8:18-19] – “Riches and honour are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.”
An entrepreneur invests a little from their own supply, sells, and sees a profit. We work, earn money, invest and store up so we will be provided for in the future. God, in His Wisdom, invests of Himself and, since He is eternal, receives an enduring revenue. Furthermore, God who calls us to be co-heirs with Christ, invites us to share in His inheritance. That means we have access to His enduring riches and righteousness. This is eternal life in the presence of the Almighty God – eternity to enjoy the richness of His love, and the wonders of His works.
- His creation is beyond materials.
[Proverbs 8:24-29] –“When there were no depth I (wisdom) was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
While as yet He had no made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth…”
I can only make something from something, but God – He can make something from nothing. Genesis 1 tells us that when the earth did not exist, when there was nothing at all, still God was there. He spoke, and it was done. It is hard for us to imagine because on earth, everything that exists has a beginning. Yet, God is above this concept – He has no beginning and no end. He is. This passage from Proverbs also highlights the beauty of how God created. Imagine settling mountains on the earth, or telling the sea where to stop. Watching God create would be the most fascinating thing, and He still lets us watch it today. We have seen mountains created, and the limits of the sea changed in the physical sense, but we also see God move mountains in our lives, and control the swell of the seas in our troubles. He draws the way out when we cannot see one, and establishes our vision to see His beauty, and His hope.
- He rejoices in His works.
[Proverbs 9:30-31] –
“I (wisdom) was beside Him as a master craftsman,
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.”
Wisdom testifies that God delights in His creation. Wisdom knows she was God’s delight, and she rejoiced before Him as He created the world. Her delight was with the sons of men, with us. If wisdom’s delight was with us, and wisdom is also God’s delight, then God’s delight is also with us. In the following verses Wisdom speaks to us as her children, telling us to listen carefully so we can keep God’s ways and be blessed. Verse 35 says, “For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour from the Lord.” The tone in which this is said implores us to seek God and seek wisdom because God wants us to be blessed. He wants to give us every good thing that is in Him, and He wants us to rejoice always, knowing that we are His delight.
- He can be easily found by those who look for Him.
[Proverbs 8:17] – “I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.”
This is wisdom who helps us to judge and discern. So, how do we get wisdom, or seek her? It begins with the fear of the Lord.
[Proverbs 9:10] – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
If we fear God, we will know wisdom, and wisdom will also give us understanding which is the knowledge of Christ, and the knowledge of God. What does it mean to fear God?
[Proverbs 8:13] –“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way.”
The fear of the Lord leads us to obey His commands, and live in His righteousness. God does not hide from us. He has placed His fingerprints of every aspect of life – both visible and invisible. He is in nature, in the resilience and hope found in human nature, and in the wisdom by which we can live a wholesome and complete life. He wants to be found, He wants us to know Him, and if we look for Him, He will surely reveal Himself the Master Craftsman.
(Dresses in Blue by Lily of the Valleys: https://lilyofthevalleysk.wordpress.com/2016/10/03/over-and-in-the-blue/)
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