“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
Genesis 1 tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. At first, the earth was
empty, dark and covered with water. Then we read about the seven days of creation in Genesis 1:3-31 and Genesis 2:1-3. Notice how everything follows in the right order. For example, the plants and trees were not made until the third day, when the dry land was ready for them. Animals were made on the sixth day, when there would be food for them to eat.
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Every day we see God’s excellent work around us. People have invented some wonderful things, such as aeroplanes, medicines, mobile phones and computers, but the skills needed to make these are nothing compared with God’s power that created the universe. Just think how the spinning of the earth and its movement around the sun never changes, so that day follows night and season follows season. Everything God makes is perfectly designed to suit its purpose. Even the smallest flower has amazing detail that is reproduced in its seeds. Birds have wings perfectly designed for flight, and some find their way thousands of miles around the world to their winter homes.
“O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24)
Throughout history people have seen the wonders of nature. But instead of worshipping God who made these things, many have worshipped the things He made! People have worshipped the sun, the moon and the stars. They have imagined that spirits were living in the water and the wind and worshipped them. People have even worshipped images of animals in wood and stone, because they imagined that spirits were living in them. Read what the apostle Paul says about this in Romans 1:20-23. Notice especially verse 23: “… and (they) exchanged the glory of the immortal (undying) God for images resembling mortal (dying) man and birds and animals and reptiles.”
The worship of false gods or idols is wrong and is condemned by God. The Bible tells us that the Lord God in heaven is the only living and true God. When people prayed to these false gods there was no answer, because their idols did not live and could not think. False gods or idols like these do not exist – except in the imagination of people!
Although the Bible tells us that God created all things, it does not tell us how He did it. If it did, we would not understand. W e have to accept God’s word in faith. W e cannot believe the Bible teaching that God created the universe and everything in it, and at the same time believe that the world came about by chance.
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” (Psalm 33:6)

The wonderful things of nature show us something of God’s power and wisdom, but they do not tell us about God Himself. No-one has ever seen God. To learn about God we must read the Bible and especially look at the life and example of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us all we need to know about God. It is the only reliable way we can learn about Him and His purpose with the world.