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.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward......

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

C.S. Lewis extolled Psalm 19 as the greatest of the psalms. The writers argues that creation (described here as the 'heavens') with all its beauty and complexity shows us something of the Creator's glory. He calls God by the general term 'el ' initially, before changing to the divine name 'Yahweh'. Without speech or sound this amazing creation follows its course obeying invisible laws.

Thinking about these invisible laws makes the psalmist look in greater depth at God's Law. The words he uses should remind us of Psalm 119 - eg 'law', 'decrees', 'precepts', and 'commandment'. God's laws are to be more desired than gold and are sweeter than honey. The writer declares there is a great benefit in keeping His laws and asks that God, who is his 'rock and salvation', will accept this psalm as his offering,

Now stop and think of God's creation today. Our world is stretched to breaking point as evidenced by global warming causing fires, floods, famine and storms; millions live in poverty; and wars rage over many parts of our world. What is Creation telling us today?

Heavenly Father,
Your creation
excites and amazes us,
but all too often we take it for granted,
and in doing so we are
destroying our planet.
May we stand up and be counted
and learn how to be effective eco-warriors
by making changes to our life
for the benefit of all.
Amen.