Beauty and the might

Today: Psalm 96-102

I may be a little (or a lot!) biased--but I think that I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Today was no exception. It was a sunny spring today and the Emerald City of Seattle and nearby Whidbey Island was literally sparkling. I saw green trees, a bald eagle, deer, mountains and the ocean. It was a, "Wow--I can't believe I get to be here and see these things and believe in a God who made them all!"

For me, those moments come often when I'm at the ocean. It's incredible to walk barefoot on the beach and see tiny tiny sea creatures and on the opposite side of the spectrum, to see the effects of powerful tides. The ocean is a beautiful picture of God's power at work.

When I read today's passage, I was reminded of God's power and beauty. Take a look:

God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

Let's hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.

Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

An extravaganza before God as he comes,

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Tomorrow: Psalm 103-105

Are you still in awe that you're Mine?

Today: Psalm 32-35

The bride walked down the aisle, arm-in-arm with her dad. She was breathtakingly beautiful--with angelic blonde curls and a beaming smile. I love watching brides walk down the aisle, but I also adore looking at the grooms' faces. This groom's face had the perfect look of happiness/awe/amazement that this gorgeous woman--my former roommate Hannah--was going to marry him.

As I watched Hannah and Matt get married this afternoon, I was reminded of the church service I attended this morning.* At one point, the pastor asked the congregation, "Are you still in awe of being God's people?" Sometimes God personalizes the question even further and asks, "Are you still in awe that you're Mine?"

I think David felt that sense of wonder at different points in his life. In today's passage, here's what grabbed my attention:

The skies were made by God's command;

he breathed the word and the stars popped out.

He scooped Sea into his jug,

put Ocean in his keg.

Earth-creatures, bow before God;

world-dwellers—down on your knees!

Here's why: he spoke and there it was,

in place the moment he said so.

Wow! The God who breathed the stars and scooped out the seas has called you and me His. Talk about awe-inspiring!

I think many times, when we're little kids or perhaps when we're new believers in God, we have that sense of awe that I saw in Matt's eyes today. We're amazed that the Creator of the universe loves us, knows us and chose us.

There is an awesome power in wedding day love. It's love that's new and beautiful. But if that sense of awe remains 50 years from today--if it's there when both Hannah and Matt are grey and wrinkled after weathering life's joys and challenges, it will be a different kind of beautiful. It will be like a couple I saw dancing at their wedding--a man and woman in their 70s who danced a beautiful waltz-style to all the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and Michael Jackson music played at the reception. This couple didn't seem to care about the music or what other people thought--they just kept dancing. They only saw each other. They were still in awe-filled love.

Lord, let us be in awe that we're Yours--today, 50 years from today and forever.

Tomorrow: Psalm 36-39



*Today I was inspired by the message, people and worship of Langley Evangelical Free Church in Langley, BC, Canada.