“God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun – a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the day-breaking sun an athlete racing to the tape. That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith. The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.” (Psalm 19:1-7 MSG)
On Monday I sat looking out a window in the middle of the afternoon. It was a quiet afternoon. There was no flock of geese flying over the yard to land on the white, snow covered, frozen lake. There were no children running around on the school playground on the other side of the lake. No children were made to go out on the playground and play when they would have preferred to have in-class recess. The holiday saved them from having to brave the cold and “have fun” in the frigid, frosty air. No cars were traveling back and forth on the street in front of the house. If so, the vehicles must have been tiptoeing on their tires as not to make any noise. There was no wind blowing the tall evergreen tree just outside the window and even the squirrels must have earned a day off, for I did not see one of those creatures running up and down the trees and showing their aerobatic and balancing skills as usual when they run across what seems to be the weakest limbs, limbs that give the impression they could not hold a single butterfly. It was a quiet afternoon. The furnace was not growling, and the refrigerator must have been whispering or playing possum. It was a quiet afternoon.
I took advantage of the blessed quietness to appreciate the Creator, the creation, and the complexity of His handiwork. The sky, although grey and somber, stayed in its place. Clouds were given a day off. If there was a contest between the green grass of warmer seasons and the brown grass of winter, the former would be declared the winner in a contest that was void of noise. It was a quiet afternoon. Creation was not done, not yet on this quiet afternoon, for the trees, every one of them, regardless of the bread or the breadth, regardless of the type or tall height, they all pointed toward another place. They pointed toward the heavens above and beyond. Beyond I say, for they appeared to be steadily pointing to the throne where the One who deserves all glory sits; pointing to the place that awaits every believer, including you and including me. It was a quite afternoon. That was until creation invited me to join in the praise God is due.
Creation spoke of God’s omnipotence and omniscience. In blessed quietness creation spoke. Creation shouted about the mighty hand of God. In blessed quietness creation spoke. Creation did not try to keep any secrets, not ashamed to own up to the fact that the Lord created heaven and earth. In blessed quietness creation spoke. “Join in rejoicing,” says creation without making a sound! “If not aloud, at least let praise resonate in your heart,” says creation in a silent admonition.
I thank God for the blessed quietness that showed up unscheduled yesterday afternoon. My heart overflowed with joy that God’s creation is a sermon presented every day, both day or night; a sermon that illustrates God’s power, His concern about the most intricate things that man cannot understand, and the fact that He saw fit that I could be a part of it all!
When you have an opportunity, be still, and let creation speak to you about the God we serve. You will hear wonderful testimonies to the fact that the God we serve is real indeed. Aren’t you glad you put your trust in Him! Have a wonderful Tuesday! Take some time to hear creation! Be blessed!
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King