3/1/21

Our call to worship is Psalm 19:1-6.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The psalmist calls us to rejoice in the beauty and wonder of all God has made. The sheer magnificence of the creation around us should fill us with gratitude for His gifts to us. Everything we experience is the work of His hands.

This passage tells us even the heavens give thanks to God for His power and love. Jesus tells the Pharisees in Luke 19:40 that if God’s people don’t praise Him “the stones will cry out”. If the earth itself offers shouts of joy, how much more are we called to sing our thanks to Him?

In his wonderful oratorio “The Creation”, Joseph Haydn used this Psalm to proclaim God’s glory. God has made wonderful things for us and we owe Him our thanks and praise. I encourage you to listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTYJm5Ae0Xo

Loving Lord, we are in awe of Your creation and that You give it to us. May we be faithful caretakers of all that You have made. Amen.