Psalm
19:1-6 (NIV) 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies
proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they
pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There
is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their
voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the
heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is
like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to
run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
I was privileged last week to speak at Baptist
Youth Camp’s first week of Junior Camp. Twice a day I shared with 3rd,
4th, and 5th graders messages related to the one-word
theme: “Magnify”. My messages covered the greatest magnifier of God, the
Father: Jesus Christ His Son… Creation… and the Word of God. My last message
was about another very important magnifier: US! These young people were very
good listeners, especially as my messages don’t always make it all the way to
their level of understanding or attention span. My favorite message was about
how Creation – just by virtue of what it is – magnifies God 24/7, and has been
ever since God created it. Creation (outside humanity) has no rational
motivation or guidance to magnify God. It just does what it was designed to do:
constantly and unquestioningly. Though it also has become subject to the Fall
(the entrance of sin into the world), Creation is still so much steadier than I
am. It inspires me to behold its Lord with reverence and awe – even though it
is itself messed up. A few days before camp I had been riding a carriage road
on Paradise Hill. While stopped to take a drink, I looked up at the leaves of a
large oak tree. The thought struck me that God knows the design and pattern and
size of every single leaf on that branch… on that tree… on every tree in the
park… even every tree in the world. In those moments my heart was lifted up to
magnify the Lord. The leaves did not make God any bigger than He is by His very
nature, but they enlarged my vision and helped me to worship. I have had many
such experiences in God’s world. A slowed or stopped look at Creation will
begin to produce wonder at the works of our God. Things like busyness and
digital “stuff” (electronics) and unbelief keep people from experiencing these
wonders.
During this talk I showed a video of a portion
of a message once given by Louis Giglio at a Passion conference, called “If the
Earth Were a Golf Ball”. You can find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D37UtbViKRw. The longer version of the message is
at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzCP8SEKwc. In this message Louis shares a
perspective on the size of the earth compared to a number of stars in the
vastness of the universe. The sizes and numbers are staggering. When you think
of these things and realize that it all came into being when God merely spoke
the word, it gives you a better adjusted view of - and perspective on - God.
Take some time to get away from human activity
and distraction. Get into Creation for a closer look. Ponder the things that
God has done. You will begin to worship. Your perception of God’s majesty
and magnificence will grow appreciably… and that is a good thing.
Psalm 97:6 (NIV) The heavens proclaim
his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
Psalm 40:5 (NIV) Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have
done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak
and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 111:2-4 (NIV) 2 Great are the works
of the LORD; they are pondered by
all who delight in them. 3 Glorious and majestic are
his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He
has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD
is gracious and compassionate.
Psalm 147:4-5 (NIV) 4 He determines the
number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great
is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
PRAYER: Father, slow me down to appreciate what you
have made and thus lead me to understand what the word “awesome” really means.
Then may my view of myself shrink as you are magnified. Oh, to realize that you
would even take notice of me – let alone love me – is beyond all joy and
wonder. You are magnificent in all your ways. Thank you for Jesus, who has
opened my eyes to see you and know you. Considering that you are infinite, I
know so little. Yet you have revealed yourself in Jesus and in your Word.
Please let me “join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great
faithfulness, mercy and love”. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
