Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. –Psalm 108:5, 6
I wonder how often we take for granted the beauty of God’s creation? Could it be that we sometimes become so caught up in the routines of our daily lives that we fail to reflect upon the glory of God that is all round us? I have no doubt that this is frequently the case. Many of us have every intention of getting away from our hectic schedules once in a while and taking time to appreciate the wonder of God’s handiwork, but we don’t do so nearly as often as we should. Why would we in the first place? I could write dozens of pages in response to that question, but let me narrow it down and say that getting out of our routines occasionally and taking in the beauty of the world is an amazingly therapeutic pursuit. We can become refreshed, renewed, and develop a deeper sense of God’s presence.
The psalmist lifted up his voice in praise and stated that the glory of God is over all the earth. He did not arrive at such knowledge on his own, but was enlightened through the power of the Holy Spirit. As he sought the Lord, prayed, and worshipped, he came to a deeper understanding of the power of God. No doubt the psalmist looked beyond his own day-to-day routine and saw the glory of God – in the majestic mountains, the rolling hills, the verdant valleys full of wildflowers, and the wide expanse of sky above. He did not take it all for granted and somehow assume that the earth came about as the result of some cosmic accident, but instead gave glory to God; the author of creation and the architect of the universe. Doing so gave him a deeper sense of his place in the world.
Such contemplation can do the same for us. We also can develop a renewed understanding of why we are here. Like the psalmist, we can reach the understanding that we are not here by accident, but rather God has placed us here for a divine purpose. You and I are vital parts of the kingdom of God; we have a place and God has called us to reach out to others in His name.
Your schedule may not permit you to take time off this week and hike the Red River Gorge as I was blessed to do so last week, but you can rise early tomorrow and watch the sun rise. Or you can marvel at the beauty of sunset which will occur later today. When we begin to stop and look around us we will see the glory of God and His creative power. The Lord will help us. Salvation has come in Jesus Christ.
Look to the Lord and praise His name, for He is over all the earth.
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