The heavens declare the glory of God

 

The heavens declare the glory of God,

And the sky proclaims its makers handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

That is the way the psalm begins which is appointed for worship in many of our churches this weekend. I recommend Psalm 19 to you as an inspiring poem to uplift and guide you. Many of us on the North Shore of Lake Superior can probably just feel the truth of this psalm in our core, because of similar feelings and revelations we have received from the many hours we have spent listening to the waves, watching the winds, staring at the stars. The psalm writer in the next verses continues to muse about how the message of the daylight and night sky reaches the whole earth from one end to another.

One day tells its tale to another, And one night imparts knowledge to another.

Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard,

Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the end of the world. Vs.3,4

It is a communication that is conveyed without words or language, and yet it indeed reaches everywhere, and everyone. Today, as I write this reflection for the paper, the sky is obscured by clouds and thick falling snow. It is a storm, and the waves are crashing on the shore, and I can hear them from my office at church. There is a message there too. The other evening walking off a local lake after fishing, the path in front of us was bright in the nearly full moon. Before we reached the path through the woods, one last glimpse of Orion over our shoulders was a comforting sight. There was an epiphany there.

What is the message? What is the epiphany? It is not just about the power in the winter storm, nor the beauty of creation. The message is deeper, and the epiphany is more helpful. The Psalm gives interpretation. At verse seven, halfway into this mystic song, the psalm writer tells us how perfect and valuable and wise are the teachings of God. The teachings and message of God are more to be desired than gold, more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. Vs 10. Today as I see the inspiring beauty of snow coating the branches of the spruce trees, I am reminded of the Creator from whom all this wonder comes. And the more we learn about the systems God has put in place, the more our gratitude toward God grows, the more our amazement at God’s designs grow. We know that this land and these lakes depend upon winter and plenty of snow and ice. And wisdom formed by studying God’s world (science) teaches us to do what we can to preserve this awesome wonder God has created.

The psalm writer, however, sees that the wonders of nature are not just there to inspire awe, but are pulling us back to God’s teachings for our lives to be wise, just, righteous, and protected from presumptuous sins. (vss. 8,9,13) It certainly will be wonderful when all people work together to keep God’s creation proclaiming its maker’s handiwork. If this psalm inspires environmental stewardship, I am all for that. But we are being directed back by these messages to pay close attention to God’s commandments and teachings so that our lives may be whole and sound and innocent of a great offense. (vs. 13) The psalm suggests to me that every wonder that nature reveals to me can be an epiphany moment calling me back to the Word of the One who put all this wonder in place.

The teaching of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the simple. Ps. 19:7

Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month our contributor is Reverend Mark Ditmanson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.