“Considering The Heavens”
February 23, 2012
On our walk west of our home we enjoy walking the grounds on the Cameron Estate Mansion and Inn.
Listen to this message on your audio player
“Considering The Heavens”
I like this picture but I didn’t take it!
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place” (Psalm 8:3).
I recently started using a “smart phone” and am exploring the scores of apps available. Since we take lots of long walks we are enjoying one that records our walk; how far we’ve gone, our precise route (using gps) and even the calories burned (don’t ask me how they figure that out!). When we get done it keeps a history, including a map of the route.
Another one is called Google sky. I can take the phone out at night and point it to the sky and it shows on the screen what I am looking at. (I suppose it somehow uses the gps.) Last night was somewhat overcast but I managed to look up and identify Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky. I don’t see how anyone can look up at the sky and claim to be an atheist!
We enjoy the little stories of what happens when children misunderstand adult concepts and wording that we simply take for granted. Jim, a pastor friend of ours, shared one that sure brought a chuckle. A Sunday School teacher asked the class, “What does God do?” A little girl responded, “God is an artist.” The teacher smiled and asked her what she meant. Recalling the line from the Lord’s Prayer (as she understood it) she replied, “Our Father who does art in heaven.”
That illustration prompted me to picture God as an artist and I suppose you could call Psalm 8:3 “divine finger painting” (the work of Your fingers). Psalm 8 is a wonderful Psalm written by David who extols God’s greatness. It’s only eight verses long and can be read (or listened to) in about 1 minute. Listen here. Yet it’s packed with majestic truths concerning God’s glory and man’s dignity.
When I read this passage I picture David as a young boy lying on his back out in a field on a clear night, looking up to the stars. Do you ever do that? I recall doing so a child and even in recent years this still creates a sense of awe in me. In fact, when the weather gets warmer, I’ll be out in our front lawn using Google sky to view the heavens!
In recognizing the majesty of God in His creation we sense our own puniness. David considers, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” Reflecting on God’s greatness can certainly give us a proper perspective on the Almighty power of our sovereign Lord. We may wonder how such a great God can even be mindful of us.
But thanks be to God, He is mindful. He loves and cares and watches over all His creation. Today He, who never changes, is concerned for each one of us. We find our rightful place when we, like David, live with the awareness of God’s greatness. The Psalm ends with this great declaration, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” Amen!
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father God, Your magnificence surrounds us from every direction. Your glory is revealed throughout Your creative design in nature, humanity, and all throughout the universe. Even as You rule over nature and the universe I am grateful that You are the Supreme Ruler of my life. Bring into conformity my thoughts and actions as You search my mind and know my heart. I am in awe of Your greatness and declare with the Psalmist today, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” Amen.
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“How Majestic Is Thy Name” Video Keith Green
“O Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name” Video Unknown
“Majestic” Video Lincoln Brewster
Cameron Estate Mansion and Inn
For the curious here is the app I mentioned that records my walk. (It was free when ordered on my phone.)
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
