In the last blog I talked about the importance of work. The word seems to have a negative connotation yet without work, we wouldn’t know the real pleasure of commitment or accomplishment. I just finished mopping my floor. Now that’s work….but look how it shines!
In Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 Solomon writes about Nature.
What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes;
But the earth abides forever.The sun also rises, and the sun goes down,
And hastens to the place where it arose.The wind goes toward the south,
And turns around to the north;
The wind whirls about continually,
And comes again on its circuit.All the rivers run into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full;
To the place from which the rivers come,
There they return again.
No, he doesn’t worship nature as many of the pagan religions did or do! But at the same time he sees the predictability of nature. He understood the movements of nature, and knew that long after we have left this earth the forces of nature will continue on in their predictable way. So what’s the point?
As believers we discover great meaning in nature. The Psalmist says (113:3) “At sunrise or sunset I can be reminded to praise the Lord for his blessings.”
When I get away to the mountains the first thing I do is visit the closest nearby stream, or rivulet. I love the movement of the water and the sound as it slipped over the rocks. I am reminded of this verse….. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Ps. 42:1)
Jesus was able to control the forces of nature and astonished his disciples. “Even the wind and waves obey Him” (Mark 4:39-41)
When I see the birds and flowers and all the works that only God could create, l am in awe of the power of His handiwork. I know his provision for me is even greater than this.
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”(Matt. 6:26)
When I see the beauty of this earth, I can know that same One who made it is preparing another place for me. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:30
Without knowledge of the Lord of the universe, everything in nature is so pointless. Season follows season, but nothing really changes.
But to us who see life from God’s perspective, nature is a gift, given to us for our enjoyment and pleasure.
Do we praise him in the morning and his faithfulness every night? The Psalmist did!!
“I declare Your loving-kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night” (Psalm 92:2)
AbideLines 