Dwell on God's wonders
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A recent production by Ken Burns and aired on PBS described the wonders and grandeur of America's National Parks, mainly Yosemite and Yellowstone.
It featured the life and influence of John Muir in getting these parks so designated and the cooperation of President Theodore Roosevelt.
Of particular interest to me was the story that the president and Muir rode by themselves into the wilderness one night, talked one-on-one by the campfire and slept under the stars. Can you imagine the pleasure that gave Muir to have the president of the United States share such an intimate experience?
It was clear to me that Muir had a profound reverence for God and His handiwork. My family has had the privilege of visiting these parks and the Grand Canyon and we can certainly agree with his sentiments. The more we know about the intricacies of the world, the more we can appreciate God's love and concern for us.
The American Indian may have had strange ideas about how the earth was formed, but he had a profound reverence for the Great Spirit. If there were any scoffers or atheists we don't know about it. The Indian worshipped in solitude and his altar was nature.
This Creator God we serve has given His people a rich bounty of provisions for their existence - food and meat in abundance as well as building materials, clothing, minerals and jewels.
Add to this a rich bonus of beauty that surrounds every person on the planet if they have eyes to see it. We needn't go far - just think of what we have here in the coastal bend: a rich variety of birds, flowers, animals, trees, a river, the seashore, fish - you take it from there. The best part is, you can see the glory of God in some of the tiniest of things.
Blaise Pascal has remarked, "Instead of complaining that God has hidden himself you should give Him thanks that he has revealed so much of himself."
The early people who ushered in the age of science were mostly Christians; and even today many men of science are Christians. It is also significant that many highly educated people are believers.
Philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) observed, "The visible marks of extraordinary wisdom and power appear so plainly in all the works of creation that a rational creature who will but seriously reflect on them cannot miss the discovery of a deity."
We take pleasure in introducing our children to nature's wonders - let's keep alive that sense of wonder in our own lives. Maltbie Babcock's famous hymn has inspired children and adults for a century: "This is my father's world, and to my listening ears, All nature sings, and round me rings, the music of the spheres. This is my father's world, I rest me in the thought, Of rocks and trees, Of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought."
To dwell on God's wonders is to live in a constant state of praise.
Raymond F. Smith is a deacon at Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria and President of Strong Families of Victoria
