God had previously given man a revelation of Himself in His created works which men please to term nature but this revelation was inadequate. Creation reveals God s wisdom and power, but it gives us a very imperfect presentation of His mercy and love.
Creation is now under the curse.
It is imperfect because it has been marred by sin. Therefore, an imperfect creation cannot be a perfect medium for revealing God and hence, also, the testimony of creation is contradictory. In the spring of the year, when nature puts on her loveliest robes and we see the beautiful foliage of the countryside and listen to the happy songs of the birds, we have no difficulty in inferring that a gracious God is ruling over our world. When we stood by the seashore and watched the setting sun crimsoning the placid waters on a quiet eve, we had no hesitation in ascribing the picture to the hand of the Divine Artist. But when we stand upon the same seashore on a stormy night, listening to the roaring of the breakers and the howling wind and watching the boas battling with the angry waves, having to helplessly listen to the heartrending cries of seamen as they go down into a watery grave, then we are tempted to wonder if, after all, a merciful God is at the helm.