Thoughts for the Day

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I produce these 'Thoughts for the Day' by typing into a programme onto my computer and then send them out by email to you. It's all very simple, but behind the scenes I know that the computer is an information processor, taking in raw information (input data) at one end, storing it until it's needed (memory), then it 'chews' and 'crunches' it (processing) before spitting it out at the other end (output). A computer works by combining input, memory, processing, and output. All the main parts of a computer system are involved in one of these four processes, but if there is no power source (ie battery or electricity) there is a problem.

Psalm 19 speaks of the heavens in the same way. The solar system, the sun, moon and stars, all move seamlessly on their celestial way, each with a specific job to do. Day becomes night, and the sun cedes its position to the moon. The existence of this fluid movement highlights the power source behind it all, that is God. The earth displays His rules and commands. But it is sad that while the whole of creation speaks of the person, the nature and character of God, all too often humans cannot see or hear this, but believe they control their natural environment..

God's laws concerning our world are perfect, unfortunately it is we who make changes to the earth that damage the world we live in. This Lent let us spend some time reflecting on our part in damaging our environment, and come to some decisions as to how we can make changes to our life.

Heavenly Father,
the heavens and earth
show forth Your glory,
and Your role in all creation.
It is Your laws that rule
our natural world,
and which we break at our peril.
May we reflect this Lent
on the ways we are damaging
the earth and our environment,
and make substantial changes
to the way we live.
Amen.