January 13
Psalm 61-65, 1 Samuel 22-23
Have you ever thought about the earth rejoicing?
Luke tells us in Luke 19:40 that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem around the time of Passover. As he was coming into the city, the people who were following him were shouting and singing his praises. The Pharisees came to Jesus and commanded that the people be silenced. But Jesus said, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”
Paul tells us in R...
January 13
Psalm 61-65, 1 Samuel 22-23
Have you ever thought about the earth rejoicing?
Luke tells us in Luke 19:40 that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem around the time of Passover. As he was coming into the city, the people who were following him were shouting and singing his praises. The Pharisees came to Jesus and commanded that the people be silenced. But Jesus said, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”
Paul tells us in Romans 1:20 that Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
There have been times when I’ve looked at my son Gavin, and knew his crazy actions, were no different from mine. He is part of me. He represents me. And just as Jesus says that he is a perfect representation of the father, so is all of creation.
That vast expanse of the mind-blowing universe, the beauty of a warm sunset on the beach as the sky is painted with pastel colors, the strength of the mountains, rising over the landscape of a snow-blanketed village,
All around us are signs of beauty that proclaim a magnificent God.
David too talked about it. He said in Psalm 65, The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
David is saying that the beauty of the world around us is literally singing the praises of God.
How profound that Jesus would then explain, that if the people aren’t going to sing the praises of God, the rocks will cry out.
I think of Saul, killing the priest for something he was innocent of. Or even the bloodshed that followed the Israelites all throughout the Bible. What has mankind done with the world we were entrusted? When God saw the earth with Noah, he was dismayed that he had even created mankind. It was like he knew that the hearts of man would always be prone to hurt, destroy, and ruin one another. Yet not so with the rest of his creation. It was crafted and formed in such a meticulously beautiful way, that it would proclaim the glory of God, even if mankind refuses to!
As we approach MLK weekend, I am reminded that man has been vile. We have allowed sin to cause division, pain, hurt and suffering. But just like creation, you and I have the awesome opportunity to turn things around. We too have been called to participate in his mission. And like the rest of creation, we can sing the praises of God. We do this when we fight for those who are wronged. When we are able to help bring justice, peace, and hope to those around us, we too are proclaiming the work of a redemptive God. David took Abiathar and made him part of his own family. He worked to redeem a person who was wronged. And like creation, it sang the beauty of a redemptive God.
Whatever you are doing today, wherever you find yourself, and whatever you put your hands to, may you sing the redemptive beauty of our living God. May you proclaim the goodness of Jesus, as you join the song of creation, in praising our Lord!
