The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19:1,2
My dad used to tell me God liked showing us amazing things just for our delight. Young children understand this and are so much better at delighting in creation than we are. When was the last time you scoured the ground for a really cool rock and took it straight to your mom so she could agree it was as cool as you thought it was?
When I taught school, my Earth Science students used to complain that what they were learning was boring compared to the life sciences. As a biologist, I wholeheartedly agree. Who wants to learn about rocks and dirt when there are animals, cells, and the fascinating processes God created to keep our bodies functioning that we could be studying instead?
But God tells us it’s all fascinating. Psalm 102:25 says, “In the beginning, [God] laid the foundations of the earth.” He created the nonliving elements of Earth with thought and precision to sustain a variety of creatures in different habitats. Without those environments, which include weather, rocks, and soil, our planet couldn’t support life at all. Isn’t it incredible that our God was thinking about what the animals and humans would need even before He created them and us?
All my life, I’ve been taught to see God in nature and marvel at the works of his hands. I feel the closest to Him while wondering at His creation. Who can gaze upon the stars on a clear night, far from the city and not be awestruck? God shows us indescribable beauty in His works daily, if only we will open our eyes to see them. I’ve watched chicks developing in and hatching from their eggs. I’ve stood at the base of enormous redwood trees that seem to stretch into the heavens, and as immeasurable gallons of sea water have lapped my feet, I’ve watched sea turtles swimming in the surf. I’ve also seen miracles, both large and small that can only be attributed to the mighty works of God’s hands.
While I could write several pages describing God’s glory here on earth, my prayer is this: may we as His people—saved from the anguishing death we all deserved by His infinite love and mercy—never stop marveling at the works of His hands. May we have eyes to see His handiwork in humanity and in nature. May we worship in awe of all He has done and continues to do, and may we ever praise Him for it so the rocks don’t have to cry out in our place (Luke 19:40). Lord, may there never be a day You don’t show me something amazing that I may delight in Your marvelous creativity.