In the 1600's a theologian, Stephen Charnock, delivered Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God. Baker Book House published these in two volumes. This year I decided to use them in my devotions. While Charnock needed a good editor to clarify this wordy masterpiece, it is otherwise a deep and wonderful read.
The first discourse (chapter) is about the folly of denying God's existence. In the last section of this chapter, he offers ways to apply what he has said to our Christian lives. The following are some of his thoughts, mingled with my responses:
The natural inclination to worship is as universal as the notion of a God; idolatry would otherwise never exist. People who turn their backs on everything else still will give homage to some superior and invisible being... Some would render Ecclesiastes 12:13, “To fear God and keep His commandment is the whole man.” In other words, without God, we are not fully human, but mere beasts. Worship and obedience completes us, makes us whole... God framed the world with order, elegance and variety, not to no purpose but that reasonable creatures should admire and honor Him for it. We are not made in His image for some idle contemplation but for due and heartfelt homage... He created the world for His glory. Those who know there is a God but do not give him the glory due Him do so to their own condemnation (Romans 1:21). Charnock says, “He that denies His being is an atheist to His essence; he that denies His worship is an atheist to His honor.”
It is our wisdom to acknowledge and worship Him. If He is not in all our thoughts (Psalm 10:4) it is as if our minds are like flies oftener on a manure pile — than on flowers. What comfort is there in Him without thinking of Him continually, and with reverence and delight? "A God forgotten is as no God to us."
Those who know about spiritual gifts say that a teacher has a great interest in all things; otherwise he could not do research. As a teacher, I know one fleshy side of this gift is being easily distracted. My mind that loves all things struggles to center itself on one thing. My worship is like a butterfly that cannot seem to land on that one flower, and even when it does, cannot stay there for a sustained period. Charnock challenges me today. Finding flowers is not difficult — the challenge is remaining there!
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