"In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth . . . Then Elohim said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness" (Gen. 1:1,26); "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and [all things] were created. He set them in place for ever and ever; He gave a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth . . . He has raised up for His people a horn, the praise of all His saints" (Psalm 148); "I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made" (Isaiah 43:6-7); "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men" (John 1:3-4); "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16); "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being" (Rev 4:11).

Literally from Genesis to Revelation is the truth that not only did God create all things, but that all things were created for His glory.  God is the God of all history, and regardless of what anyone or any nation or any political party says or does, our God will have His way!  The day is coming when "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11). "For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living . . . It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God'"(Romans 14:9-11). On that Day, it will no longer matter whether an individual bowed his knee in this age, or whether or not he believed, every knee will bow and acknowledge the One True God.

Last year the senior class sold a T-shirt that simply said "no excuses." That will be the theme of the Day when Christ returns. "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed" (Rev. 15:3-4). All creation will celebrate the Lord as He returns, all will bow, and all will be judged. And on that Day there will be no excuses for those who have not worshiped Him and received Him into their hearts. We are blessed beyond measure that He has revealed Himself to us through His Word and His Work in this present age. We have no excuses for not serving Him now.

So what is the end of the story? "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making all things new.' . . . To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son" (Rev. 21:3-7).  God has created everything good to bring Him glory, and He has invited us to come and be a part of His glorious eternity, not just as tenants, but as sons! His very words insist that what He wants is eternity in a loving relationship with us, and He has drawn up the plans, laid the foundations, and constructed the city in which we will live.

"Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12); so I bow, and every day along with the sun and moon and stars, along with the wind and rain and storm, along with the trees, mountains, rivers, birds, fish, and all creatures, I praise my Lord and Savior Who made it all!

Almighty Heavenly Father, I give You praise and honor and glory! You are the Maker of heaven and earth! All the future is in Your Hands, and I bow before You singing "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Amen