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12th June 2024
WednesdayReflection
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Annette Griffin asks
How Do the Heavens Declare the Glory of God?
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When Psalm 19:1 says "the heavens declare the glory of God," is he talking about the afterlife or something we can experience right now?
Humanity has yet to comprehend the mysteries of the cosmos, but from the moment we're old enough to turn our gaze upward, we're drawn to the expanse as if the universe has something to tell us. And it does.
The opening lines of Psalm 19 read like poetry, but each successive era sheds new light on David's simple worship song.
The more we discover about mysteries of space and time, the more we recognize the infinite value of the One who created all things.
Long before scientists began exploring the universe, a simple shepherd boy, ordained king of Israel, heard a profound message radiating from above.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
.....Psalm 19:1-4
When Christians think about heaven, we usually picture a spiritual realm where God dwells: an eternal resting place where Christians will live with God and each other in the afterlife.
But David's 19th Psalm refers to "the heavens" in a more physical sense.
The Hebrew term for glory is kabod, a word with the root meaning of heaviness or weightiness.
The Greek term for glory is doxa, which means "most exalted state."
Most Christians would agree that God is above all.
But do we understand what 'above all' means?
How can a finite being comprehend the "exalted state" of an infinite God?
We long to know this larger-than-life God and to make Him known, but if we lack the words to define Him, how can we?
Where human words fail, God's Word persists.
God sent Jesus to reveal His glory - who He is - to the world.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, He comes to live inside us.
The longer the Holy Spirit dwells in us, the more He grows our understanding of His Word (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Little by little, God reveals His divine nature, character, and virtue to those who "press on to know Him."
Where human words fail, His glory persists.
That's why God created us-to know and to reveal His glory (Isaiah 43:7).
There's a book of Revelation at the end of the Bible, but there's also one in nature.
When God created the universe, He left His fingerprints on everything He formed.
Nature testifies to God's existence and teaches us more about His character (Romans 1:20) (Job 12:7-9).
Scripture continually affirms nature's revelatory value.
The Bible tells us to consider the ant's work ethic, the sparrow's trust, the lily's beauty, the goat's surefootedness, the eagle's nesting habits, the orderliness of the seasons, the strength of the mountains, and the obedience of the wind and waves.
Each scriptural object lesson about nature speaks to God's attributes and guides us into the path of His righteous ways.
Along with all creation, the heavens reveal God's glory by its very nature.
Without speech, words, or sound, the heavens show God's complex, ordered handiwork on a grand scale that confounds the wise and has even left science wondering if there is a "master programmer at work in the origin of life".
Dear Heavenly Father,
Just as the heavens are above our world, so are your flawless ways.
You have set your glory above the heavens, and that glory calls to us like deep calls to deep, reminding us of your worth and our dependence on your life-giving power.
We look forward to a time when we no longer have to look up to see you - as in a dim mirror.
On that day, our joy will be complete as we gaze upon the radiance of your glory face to face and join in heaven's worship song.
But until that day, we offer our earthly praise to the One who is enthroned in our hearts and on high.
There is no one like you.
Thank you, God, for who You are, for all you've done, and for all you will do.
In Christ's precious name,
Amen.
><(((°>
Annette Marie Griffin
is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed children's and youth programs for more than 20 years.
Her debut children's book, What Is A Family? released through Familius Publishing in 2020.
Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community.
Her passion is to help wanderers find home.
She and her husband have five children-three who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at home-plus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock.
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