"In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land."
I love Oklahoma. I have lived here for all of my nearly forty-five years on this earth. I love the people, enjoy the lifestyle, and am grateful that we get to experience all four seasons (even if they are sometimes on the same day!). I am not someone who dreams of living elsewhere.
This morning as I was reading in Psalm 95, two verses jumped out at me: verses 4-5. The psalmist remarks that the sea is the handiwork of God and that the same God formed the land that we see. He also states that the heights of the mountains are the Lord's.
On most days if I had read this verse I would have needed to picture a mountain in my mind (there are no mountains in Mustang, Oklahoma). Not today. Today I only need to look out the window. I am in sunny California for several days and surrounded by mountains. This afternoon as my wife and I walked for several miles seeing the sites and sounds of the area, mountains were within view at all times. On this day, after reading Psalm 95, I was glad I was in California. The thumbprint of God was impossible to miss...or was it?
Psalm 19:1 boldly proclaims "the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the works of His hands." Every time you see a sunrise or sunset, you are invited to witness the glory of God. Each occasion you behold the majesty of the sun or the simple beauty of the moon, you are invited to observe the work of God.
What struck me today was how many people were walking the same streets I strolled, seeing the same sites I saw, yet likely many observing something totally different. I have the privilege of knowing Psalm 95. As one whose eyes have been made open by the Holy Spirit, I am able to connect the stunning beauty I beheld today with the sovereign God who made it. The mountains I saw were formed by God. The land, as well as the sea (or in California's case, the Pacific Ocean), is the result of the Lord's design and creation.
I cannot help but wonder how many people today saw the same sites, but never had a single thought of the Creator. People, where my wife and I were walking, were undoubtedly impressed by some of the historical buildings on Hollywood Boulevard. Tourists enjoyed many memories of childhood as they stopped and looked at the stars on the Walk of Fame, myself included. Yet, as they saw the mountain in the distance with the letters "HOLLYWOOD" spelled out, did they recognize the mountain on which the letters sit are the handiwork of Almighty God?
Thousands of people lined the streets. Everyone saw beautiful aspects of creation. Some knew what the psalmist knew; others made no such connection. The handiwork of God could not be missed, except for those who refuse to see.
So, tomorrow when you get up and leave home, look around and see the handiwork of God. Maybe you will see farmland, or grass, or empty fields. Perhaps you, like me, will be able to see mountains and palm trees. Whatever you see of God's creation, accept the invitation to consider the Creator. Think about the power, majesty, and creativity of God.
What a shame to be so near to the handiwork of God and never notice. What a pity to behold evidence after evidence of the Lord and have no thought of the very One who made all things.
Remember the words of the great hymn written by Carl Boberg in 1885:
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power 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, how great Thou art
Take time today to be amazed by what God has made. Then, take a moment to consider the maker of all you see also made you. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place that we could be saved by His grace, through faith. As amazing a creation as the mountains may be and as beautiful as the blue ocean waters may be, there simply is no creation of God as incredible as the new heart He has given you if you are in Christ. Take time today to be amazed at the gift of faith He has given you and let your soul sing, "How great Thou art!"