FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
GOD ORDERS SCIENCE
Psalm 119:89-96
89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
So called “authorities” who have access to our minds via education, news and social media emphasize ad nauseum how “science” tells us what is true. This Psalm brings a needed correction for us Believers: Science doesn’t order us; God orders science. God is over and supreme over science. While the Bible is not a scientific textbook it is pre-eminently God’s Word of truth to humankind, and it is 100% reliable and supreme in its precepts and pronouncements in all aspects of life.
Every conceivable subject or issue in our lives is “under” the authority and teaching of the Bible.
So…God orders science. God originates what science uncovers. Science is not a superior discipline over God’s creation; it is merely a tool (and not the only tool) to uncover what God has ordered.
These verses teach:
God’s Word, His way, His governance and “ordering mind” is firmly fixed. Scientific laws are His laws, not man’s laws and not arbitrary laws that exist outside of Him.
The New Testament supports this completely and clarifies that this part of the ongoing work of ordering and keeping the laws operative is on our Lord Jesus Christ’s job description:
Colossians 1:15-17
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
So God the Son is the One who holds so called “natural laws” or “laws of nature” or “scientific laws” together. Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer but also the One who
“…continually sustains His creation, preventing it from falling into chaos or disintegrating.” (ESVSB footnote at Colossians 1:17.)
Hebrews 1:3 makes the same point (go look it up right now and underline it!).
Implications for us today:
- The proper view of “science” is to understand that what is absolutely true about the physical world as it is, was established by God and is unshakable and unbreakable. Creation is “firmly fixed in the heavens” (v89 ESV), or “settled” (NASB). Our Lord Jesus Christ holds these “divine laws” together and makes them work. For example, gravity works because Jesus Christ makes it work. If He removes His ordering power, gravity ceases to work. God is sovereign over all laws He creates, establishes and upholds every second of every day in every place.
(By the way, miracles are when He decides to suspend those laws which He imposes on nature, and does what He pleases that is out of the ordinary.)
- The logical result is that we worship the Living and Triune God who created all things (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) and, AND Who sustains all things!
Here’s a great way to start today- stop right now and praise Him.
Our Living God thank you for being so powerful and wise and totally involved in our lives and the world. No one has as much power as You! You hold all things together! As I go out into this day and hear “science” and “scientists” exalted, help me to remember that they are mere mortals, and their understanding is incomplete and often wrong. Help me to know what is “scientific truth” (that which is proven), what is mere conjecture and what are simply the political views of people in positions of social power.
Lord help me to care for this world You made, but thank You for the confidence I have today to go out and use the resources you put on and in this planet for our good use. Thank you that all of Your gifts are Your servants for our use (Psalm 119:91).
I go out now as Your beloved Son and servant because of Jesus, to work for my family. Help me also make a strong contribution to others living a better life through what I produce. Thank you for the joy of work, of using Your resources wisely for Your glory and our good.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
