“And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9)
How should believers introduce God to unbelievers? Scripture gives good examples, like the way Jonah defined his God to pagan idolaters onboard a storm-tossed ship. Jonah’s God, in magnificent and holy distinction from their gods, made the universe and all it contains. They soon observed that He is sovereign over all His creation, including the weather. Stopping the terrible storm required no effort from the Creator. They then “feared the LORD exceedingly” (Jonah 1:16).
In that moment, the crew acknowledged what many idol-worshiping Israelites did not. Thus, Jeremiah had to reintroduce them to “the true God” by saying, “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens” (Jeremiah 10:10-11). In contrast, the living God “hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion” (v. 12).
King David also encouraged God’s people to introduce God by crediting Him with creation. “Declare his glory among the heathen; his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens” (Psalm 96:3-5). And Paul famously introduced God as the Creator to pagan Gentiles in Acts 14:15 and 17:23-25.
God introduces Himself to all who open to the first page of His Word as He who created the heavens and the earth. Do you know someone to whom you can introduce Jesus as Creator? BDT
Days of Praise Podcast is a podcast based on the Institute for Creation Research quarterly print devotional, Days of Praise. Start your day with devotional readings written by Dr. Henry Morris, Dr. Henry Morris III, Dr. John Morris, and others to strengthen and encourage you in your Christian faith.
