I think most Christians cringe when they overhear someone giving credit belonging to God to "Mother Nature." This mythical personality is often lauded for a beautiful snowfall, a field full of wild flowers or a romantic moon-lit night. Having been set free by the Spirit of the Living God believers know that nature is the handiwork of God and while the systems of the world may run on automatic, it is God who created them and who ensures that they run at all.

The world is indeed a beautiful place and God alone deserves the credit for it. Some would argue, that we were told by the Lord to love not the world or the things that are in it. Doubtless, he was speaking of the secularity of the world system and not the beauty that he created. Each raindrop, each star, each gust of wind is a testament to his greatness and are for our enjoyment and his praise.

Consider for instance, the significance of clouds? Besides being beautiful and captivating, they play a huge role in our daily lives. If there were no clouds, this world would be quite a different place. The singer Joni Mitchell captured much of the essence of clouds in her hit song on the topic, but even she fails to quantify their real significance.

Clouds are more than the fodder of songs and paintings. They are the evidence of God's environment at work. When clouds are present, we know that the checks and balances of God's nature are in play. Cold and warm air masses push against each other, creating weather systems that water and cleanse the earth.

Whether viewed from above from an airplane window or from below while laying on a grassy hill at one's leisure, clouds are magnificent to behold. They sometimes hang low to the ground and at other times climb to the heights of heaven. They take familiar shapes and forms and we marvel at their beauty.

They can unleash unbelievable power. Sometimes this power is destructive, even lethal, but more often it is helpful and life-giving. Lakes, streams and rivers are filled by their moisture and God's creation and creatures are replenished.

Indeed, whether bringing havoc to coastal cities or quenching the parched desert, clouds are significant to our world. They are critically important to life and the myriad ecological systems that comprise life on this earth.

Still, as intimidating as a 60,000 foot thunderhead can be and as much power as a storm system can generate, their magnificence pales to the majesty of the Lord, their creator. In Nahum 1:3 we are told:

"…and the clouds are the dust of his feet…"

Some time ago while teaching an adult Sunday school class, I told the class that I was going to ask a question and the first one to answer it correctly would receive a prize. I told them that I was going to do this because I wanted to prove to them that the secular teachings of evolution were influencing even the minds of born again believers. I added a reward to the question to ensure they did not have time to consider their answer. I wanted them to answer spontaneously so that I could make my case.

The question was "Who can tell me where diamonds come from?" As anticipated, hands flew up all over the room, but one bold woman who obviously wanted the prize more than anyone else, just blurted out her answer; "they are pieces of coal that have been under pressure for millions of years."

It was undoubtedly the same answer that most, if not all of the others were going to give, but upon hearing it said out loud, we experienced a type of group epiphany. Every student sort of groaned and said "oh no, I see what you mean" or words to that effect. One by one they realized that they had unconsciously accepted evolutionary theory as fact. (By the way, no prize was awarded, since no one offered the right answer).

Christians are enlightened by the Holy Spirit through an understanding and discernment that unregenerate people do not enjoy. Still, we have the flesh factor and we are subject to the influences of the wicked one, often in such subtle ways that we do not even recognize it until faced with an opportunity like we had in our class.

The entire first chapter of Nahum speaks to the wonder and might of God and gives him credit for everything good in this world. It rightfully names him and him alone as creator and makes the clouds that tower over us nothing more than the dust beneath his feet.

Believers everywhere need to guard themselves against the secular philosophy of this world and pay due homage to the one who created all that we see. Attempts to usurp the rightful praise due to God via Mother Nature, Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and a host of other imaginary personalities should be rejected and have no place among us. All praise belongs to God and God alone.