The Heavens Declare

In the silent night – the expanse of the heavens may tell us a little about the God who made them.   As I look at that night sky from a place far from city lights I believe that, if I can focus these human eyes further into the heavens, I’ll be looking right into the throne room of God. 

Here we are, minuscule ants in the vast universe, alive on a planet spinning in space.  The heavenly vastness is almost unbelievable.  It tells of a powerful unfathomable maker, and I know with certainty that it didn’t just happen to be so beautiful, so unreachable.

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)
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.

When I hold a tiny kitten – a newborn, when I stroke his soft fur and feel the beat of his little heart, I see the tenderness of God right there in my hand.  When I was allowed to hold my own babies and can remember the choking in my throat at the wonder of such a gift - such a helpless, precious gift, I can feel God’s tender heart touching mine and I know for certain that this tenderness didn’t just happen to be so unspeakable.

Matt 6:26 (NIV)
Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.

This world is full of many created beings that inspire admiration – admiration and fear.  Or maybe not necessarily fear, but maybe an intake of breath, a feeling of caution or a wariness.  But, no matter - large and small, God made them.  Predator and prey, He made them beautiful, awe inspiring, and necessary in the arrangement of His world. 

When God created the things of our world, He said, “It is good.”  I believe He was and is delighted with the work of His hand.  I believe we can almost see Him smile as magnificent horses run in unison across the open prairie.  I believe He likely chuckles as the bear cubs tumble together in the woods, and maybe He grins as the tuxedoed penguins show off the clothing that He gave them. 

Genesis 1:25 (NIV)
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, 

the livestock according to their kinds, 

and all the creatures that move along the ground
 according to their kinds. 

And God saw that it was good.

Another thing I see that speaks a picture of God is love.  When we see, in God’s people, a love for others, it tells us something about our God as well.  The quality of love must come from someone who loves. 

We see the “good Samaritans” in our world reaching out to the hurting.  We see love in families, friends, and even strangers.  We see a willingness to put others before ourselves.  We see hospitals and homes for abused women established by believers, and we see them meeting in prisons and other places of need, and God sees them as well.  And I believe He smiles. 

1 John 4:19 (NIV)
We love because He first loved us.