The Majesty of God

 

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 writing this devotional days ahead of our trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In fact, as you are reading this, if all goes according to plan, we should be arriving in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at a cabin located on the Little Pigeon River which flows through the park. You may be familiar with this area of Tennessee. It is located just a bit from the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Mary and I have been coming here for nearly sixty years, as we made our first trip a couple of years before we were married so that the North Carolina relatives could meet me. For a young man (really just a boy at the age of 19) who had never traveled farther from home than from Galveston to College Station in Texas, it was quite the adventure. You can see some of my amazement from the view on I-40 just east of Knoxville, Tennessee I’ve attached. As we made the turn I recognized the grandeur of mountains on the horizon, though I had no idea of what more was yet to appear.

 

Every time I see this first glimpse of this place so dear to us, I am reminded of our psalm today. It was written by King David to lead us to revel in the majestic handiwork of God in His creation. I have traveled to many parts of the world; however, this place seems to bring me closer to the sheer joy of knowing the Lord than any other.

 

I hope you have such a place. Regardless of where it is geographically, today would be a great day to remind yourself that the Lord is indeed a great God who loves us and has given us all that is necessary for redemption and restoration to an eternal relationship with Him. Today join me in singing another one of the psalms:

 

Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98 ESV).

 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord today! I can assure you Mary and I will be!