The Beauty of God's Creation

 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6 ESV).

 

I am sorry for the older picture attached today. As you know I typically write ahead of publishing. I am writing this devotional on Saturday, August 9^th for publishing on Sunday, August 17^th. Mary and I should be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by then. My hope is to write a bit while I am in the mountains continuing this theme of “The Beauty of God’s Creation.” That will allow me to have current pictures to attach and give me a chance to digest being immersed in one of the most beautiful of places God has created. For reference, the photo today was obviously taken in the fall of the year; however, more importantly, it was taken literally outside the front door to the cabin where we are staying. It is the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. I like to spend the mornings fly fishing for trout while we’re there. You can see why it is just fine to merely “fish” and not necessarily “catch” any fish! It truly is a glorious place of quiet and beauty.

 

Our reading today is from Psalm 19. It shows that we can even learn about God’s glory through nature. It says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (v. 1). Another way to put it, according to this psalm, is that “the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This is a strange and poetic picture. The sky can’t talk! The psalm acknowledges this in verse 3: “They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.” And yet the sky, by its simple, beautiful existence, communicates to the world about God, its creator.

 

God has created a beautiful world. This world, simply by being what God created it to be, gives voice to the beauty of God himself. It is a reminder to us that we, too, can glorify God with our words, by loving each other and themselves, and by caring for the world that God loves. The sky uses its clouds, rainbows, and shades of gray and blue to tell about the glory of God. Think of all that we can do as we use our words and even our whole life to share about the glory of our great God!

 

“See” you from the Smokies… tomorrow!