THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
What does it signify to render rulers as naught? Changing the status of any monarch is a challenging endeavor, yet for God it is a simple task. Does it seem effortless to you to strip a kingdom from a king who reigns over the entire world, who is revered by everyone, and whose word compels all things? Yet for God, it is not just easy; He can raise even one from the lowest ranks, someone who cannot even articulate a word, to such an esteemed position. It is stated clearly that He turns princes to nothingness, rendering their significance empty. Do you recognize that He gives an example known to all? We were not present when He fashioned the heavens, nor did we perceive the moment He spread them out.
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While the heavens may be evident to the ears, they often elude the understanding of those who hear them. He conveys the deepest truths in a manner accessible to all, truths that have always resided among humanity. Similarly, another prophet declared that He alters times and seasons, removes kings and establishes them (Dan. 2:21); and further, that many rulers have occupied the earth, but one of whom no thought was given bore a crown (Sir. 11:5); and I witnessed servants riding on horses, while princes walked like slaves on foot (Ecclesiastes 10:7). Time indeed shifts from dawn to dusk (Sir. 18:26); and all things are transient before the Lord (Sir. 18:26). Consider how many testimonies the Lord has scattered throughout the earth to recognize and believe in the creation He has brought forth. You seek to hear the message the Lord conveys from heaven, yet you hesitate to embrace it; reflect on the affairs of the world and observe what unfolds daily, and you will come to know your Lord and Creator. He speaks of the earth, as if it were nothing, saying, create it. To you, who understand that God formed the earth out of nothing, does it seem formidable that He maintains it steadfastly? Where are those who claim that the earth was once invisible and formless? It is declared, Create her; if He did so, how could she have gone uncreated? He brought it into existence swiftly and effortlessly. Another prophet proclaimed, I will consider the heavens, the work of Your hands (Psalms 8:4), and also, Whatever You desired, You created (Psalms 113:11). He fashioned it from nothing, meaning He created all things by His command. The prophet rightly asserts, 'He called them, and they responded, Here we are,' demonstrating the ease of creation. A wise individual notes that every act of creation reveals its Creator. Yet the prophet instructs us in the greatness of the Creator, not solely through His creations but also through another evidence, namely the very essence of creation. Do you perceive the majesty and splendor of created things? Do not limit your attention to them alone; instead, recognize and understand that all these magnificent entities were brought forth from nothing, solely by His decree, His command, His directing hand, and His calling. He is the One who calls all things into existence from nothing. This illustrates both the ease and swiftness of creation. Just as we voice anything that is convenient for us, so He commanded the nonexistent to be. It may be asked, how can this be? The remarkable truth is that our Lord operates in a manner beyond our comprehension, beyond our words, thoughts, or any other means.