"The Earth and the Sky"

(Thanks to Gary S. for inspiration on this one.)       

   I'm all for paved roads, buildings, and the many man made structures that protect us from the elements, smooth out our transportation, and in many cases, provide beautiful shapes and forms that enhance our lives. I'm also most grateful for electricity, and in particular, the illumination that often beautifies the night, and always keeps it from being really dark! :)    

That being said, I do believe that covering up God's good earth brings with it spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical liabilities and limitations.  Moreover, the ambient electrical light of cities and towns that brightens our evenings also hinders us from viewing the full wonder of our Lord's night sky.   

"The whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3).   

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1).      

Messages speak to us and sing to us from the earth and the sky, communicating realities that transcend created things, but which nevertheless speak forth in vivid display of the Divine.      

"The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead" (Romans 1:20).      

We need these messages of the unseen, as revealed in the seen.  If possible, therefore, we do well to frequently expose ourselves to the earth and the sky.  Such experience confirms and enhances our conceptual understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ and His truth, as provided in the Scriptures.  Indeed, it is one thing to read of King David's enraptured fascination with God's creative handiwork in Psalms such as the 104th:  "O LORD, how manifold are Thy works!  In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches" (Psalm 104:24).  It is quite another to share such experience, to the degree that we joyfully conclude with David, "I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD!" (Psalm 104:33-34).      I write these words in the comfort of our air conditioned home, for which I give thanks.  I also write, however, with much anticipation and determination to avail myself of glories that cannot be known within the confines of man's handiwork.  The sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, and the earth await to express their wonder to the senses God formed in us, whereby we more fully discover the beauty of His heart, and the miracle of His mind.  May our Lord grant to each of us much opportunity to look, to listen, and to worship as the gifts of His creative hand bear witness to the grace of His compassionate heart.

"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."(Psalm 33:5)

"The heavens shall declare His righteousness."(Psalm 50:6)