The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above[a]
proclaims his handiwork. Day to day
pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor
are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end
of the world (Psalm 19:1-4, ESV).
The light screeches across the evening sky in brilliant
colors sparkling with shimmering dust as if it contained gold and chrome. The contrast between dark heavens and
illuminated flashes is strikingly moving. We stand and strain our necks to make sure we
take in the total experience of this spectacle that we look forward to each
year as our nation celebrates its birthday.
We gather to watch and in many place there is an admission charge to
watch the fireworks displays. Some like
the falling colors after the explosion, some like the streaking tail of the
rocket type ordinance, some like the piercing sounds, some like the booming
retort, some like just being with friends on a summer evening and some just
simply hate fireworks. Especially really
small children have problems with the loud noises and unpredictable nature of
the whole event. I like the cluster type
fireworks with their extra bonus like explosions and crackling sparkles.
All of this color, sound, and glittering feast for the eyes can
be celebratory and wonderful but it nothing in comparison to the show that God
puts on each and every day through His creation. There are sunsets with mixtures and hues of
color beyond any painter’s or photographer’s ability to capture. Every night the heavens overflow with stars dazzling
endlessly in their capacity to shine and in the sheer vast quantity that cannot
even be named or numbered. The list of
amazing spectacular beautiful and sensual experiences unfolding in each and
every day and night which are free to behold are quite endless. The experiences
which become brief of monumental focus points on an the endless spectrum of seasons
and life on the earth we live on are noteworthy and bring us incredible
joy. Yet in the array of all of this
sensory delight, there is a greater
realization which should stagger us beyond what we see, smell or touch.
What is greater and what is of more significance, remains as
an amazing fact; God created, ordered
and designed all that we behold around us on the earth and in the heavens above
us. All of this simple and spectacular reflects
His care, provision and beauty. It
should cause us to exclaim as Job did as he repented of his pride and gave the
glory to God, “I know nothing about things too wonderful for me” (Job 42:3).
The expressions vocalized in our “ooohs” and “aaahs” when we attend various
celebrations with man-made colorful and explosive sights are miniscule in
comparison what we should feel about the wonder of God and the created world that proclaims His
glory. Let us be awed and let us give
Him praise. For it is He who “causes the
dawn to appear in the east,” “visits the storehouse of the snow,” “lays out the
path of the lightning,” “gives birth to the dew,” and is able to “count all the
clouds” (Job 38). His dazzling show in the heavens is
endless and the spectacle is truly beyond description. Let us join with the endless praise bursting forth from the heavens and give our praise and thanks unto the Lord.
Suggested Reading ... Psalm 19
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