Can you pinpoint moments on the timeline of your life when you saw evidence of God’s mighty works? Do you have memories of events that gave you reasons to believe, to hope, and to rejoice?
I remember traveling with my family and in-laws to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Lodge, with its cathedral ceilings and huge windows, offered a spectacular view of the less touristy North Rim.
I recall the way the afternoon sunshine streamed down on the canyon, and a chilly wind whipped my hair across my face.
Bands of color streaked across the rough, dusty landscape. Sunlight and shadows played along the fierce, jagged rocks.
From the porch of the lodge, the canyon looked almost like a painting, too amazing to be real. But when I ventured close to the railing, I felt a fluttering and clutching in my stomach as I realized how far I would fall if I went over the edge.
A Reason to Hope
“One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” Psalm 145:2-5 ESV
While we sat on the porch of the Grand Canyon Lodge and looked out into the vast expanse, Grandpa talked to his grandsons about the formation of the canyon. With his PhD in Chemical Engineering and his Master of Biblical Studies, Grandpa approached the subject from scientific and biblical perspectives.
As a scientist, Grandpa was knowledgeable about scientific methods and data. In fact, he told the boys, the man who invented carbon dating, Willard Libby, was a friend of his.
As a Bible scholar, he was familiar with different interpretations of the Bible and differing views among theologians concerning the age of the earth.
Grandpa presented the different opinions and encouraged his grandsons to think deeply. He reminded them that scientists are constantly collecting new data and revising their theories. Grandpa urged the boys to examine scientific evidence in light of what the Bible says. He talked about interpreting the Bible by examining the original Hebrew and Greek words used.
As I watched this scene unfolded, I thought, “Remember this.” Remember this moment when one generation speaks to the next. Remember the awe-inspiring landscape and the Creator who formed it.
When I see one generation teaching, inspiring, and challenging the next, I’m filled with hope. I know we have an eternal Father who allows us to live meaningful lives filled with love and purpose. And I cling to the hope that one day all the wrongs of the world will be righted, and God will restore the world to the perfect state He intended from the beginning.
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’”
Revelation 21:1-3 NIV
A Reason to Believe
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 ESV
Grandpa is now home with the Lord. But because we have a video of this conversation and others like it, I’m able to listen to his voice speaking words of truth and encouragement.
He was a scientist, yet he possessed an unshakeable faith in God and an unbreakable passion for God’s Word. His knowledge never lured him away from belief in God. If anything, his faith was strengthened by his understanding of the workings of the universe.
When I look at awesome landscapes like the Grand Canyon, I know the world is more than just the result of random forces which just “happened” to collide together. I know that life—fine-tuned, fragile, but infinitely fascinating—did not accidentally spring up.
The intricacy, complexity, the balance, and synergy of the universe leads me to believe in a Great Creator who intelligently designed every detail.
Reason to Rejoice
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Reason to Trust God’s Eternal Word
The Grand Canyon Lodge, built in 1937, was almost as old as Grandpa, but it’s gone, too. The Dragon Bravo wildfire, sparked by a lightning strike, incinerated the limestone and ponderosa pine structure.
But my experiences there—the meaningful conversations with people I love— gave me reason to hope.
The intelligent design I observed gave me reason to believe.
The beauty I witnessed gave me reason to rejoice.
Yes, the structures that hosted my memories have burned to the ground.
Buildings collapse. People die. Scientific theories arise and are revised.
But God is eternal, and His word endures forever. His love is everlasting. His faithfulness is to all generations.
And that gives us reason to believe. Reason to hope. Reason to rejoice.
Scripture for Meditation
“You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our savior.
You are the hope of everyone on earth,
even those who sail on distant seas.
6 You formed the mountains by your power
and armed yourself with mighty strength.
7 You quieted the raging oceans
with their pounding waves
and silenced the shouting of the nations.
8 Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.” Psalm 65:5-8 NLT