“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Romans 11:36 (ESV)

These two sentences conclude a short doxology (or statement of praise) that concludes a large section of Romans that explains God’s work to save people through Jesus Christ. Even more, they identify three critical aspects of God’s relationship with creation and anticipate creation’s response of worship.

First, God is the Source of everything in creation. Every bird, every blade of grass, every snowflake, every mountain peak, every particle of dust, everything flows from God. Nothing that exists, exists on its own. In 1 Corinthians 11:12, Paul is even more direct, “And all things are from God.”

Second, God is the Sustainer of everything in creation. Stars continue to burn. Planets maintain their orbital trajectory. The atmosphere holds together. Plants continue to grow. Hearts continue to beat. Life goes on…