According to polls 94% of Americans believe in God. finding an "atheist" is a truly difficult task. It is a bit easier to find an agnostic, on who isn't sure about God. But the polls don't ask, "what do you mean by 'God'?" Many groups, such as the Elks and Kiwanis express a belief in "a supreme being." Alcoholics Anonymous speaks of a "higher power" and of turning our lives over to God "as we understand him." This higher power has been, for some, the AA group and for others the tree they sit under to meditate. Others have gone further and found that they need to trust in God and see God as the God of the Bible.

A Christians we are not called to believe in a higher power. We are not called to believe in "a supreme being." The God we serve is not "a" anything. He is THE supreme being. He is the sovereign Lord of the universe. He is "God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." He receives our worship and service because of who he is. The command to "have no other gods before me" comes from him of whom it must be said, "there is none other like him."

The Psalmist emphasizes the power and glory of God. Ours is a God "clothed with splendor and majesty." Isaiah writes, "I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and his train filled the Temple. Above him were Seraphs ...calling to one another: 'Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord god almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."(Is 6:1,3). John heard the songs of praise in heaven, "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). God is the one who "set the earth on its foundations." He is glorified as the creator. The Psalmist looks at the works of God's hands and exclaims, "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."

When we say we believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth we are focusing on him, not on his creation. Paul noted in Romans 1 the danger of focusing on creature rather than creator. "Although they knew him as God they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him but their thinking became futile and their foolish heart were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal god for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."(vs 21-23). The result of such corrupt thinking is that "God gave them over to their sinful desires." When we turn away from God the creator to the creation we turn from the path of right to the path of sin. And God lets us go on that path. It is a human choice. The choice of sin is a choice to reject God. The act of rejection brings the act we call sin.

When we praise God as creator, we come to think also of his providence. "He makes springs pour water into the ravines." "He waters the mountains from his upper chambers." "the trees of the Lord are well watered." He gives the rain. He also gives food. He makes the grass grow for the cattle. He brings "forth food from the earth." all look to him "to give them food at the proper time. When you give it to them they gather it up. When you open your hand they are satisfied with good things." When I say I believe in God the maker of heaven and earth, I am also saying that I realize my dependence on him. He provides for all, for the animals and for us. The prayer, "for health and strength and daily food we give thee thanks o Lord" is a recognition that all good gifts come from God the Father. We receive the gifts and we give him thanks.

He is creator. He is provider. He is also and perhaps most important, sovereign. The Lord of the universe is able to create and provide. The Psalmist writes, "You bring the darkness and it becomes night." He sees that "the earth is full of your creatures." God "looks at the earth and it trembles" but he also renews the face of the earth. All is under his control. All is under his rule. He is Lord!

What of our response. We might say, "I believe" but how is our faith put to work? Jesus gives us one way in which our faith has effect. In Mt. 6:25-27 we read of God's providence. "Do not worry," Jesus says. Why not worry? First because God will take care of you. Second, because worry does no good. "Your heavenly Father knows" the things you need. He call you to put your trust in him. This moves us from the emphasis upon his power and sovereignty to an emphasis on his being our Father. It is when we realize his power and glory that we can appreciate what it means to have him as our Father. Some Fathers are caring but unable to provide for their children. Others are able but uncaring. God is both caring and able. Will we put our trust in him?

If we believe his is caring. If we believe he is powerful. Then let us praise him. "I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him as I rejoice in the Lord." As we ponder the Sovereign Lord of all creation we can cry out, "Praise the Lord O my soul. Praise the Lord!"