Before the day got away from me and my list of tasks took my attention, I stole away outside and was overwhelmed by the majesty of God in His creation!  I found myself humming, then singing these songs.

“In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus!”

“This is my Father’s world

The birds their carols raise.

The morning light, the lily white

Declare their Maker’s praise!”

A knowing smile crept onto my face…He had called me away, even as the temptation to be “squirreled” had to be intentionally ignored.

The sound of the various types of birds singing was as a symphony, literally more variety than I could count.

The air was cool, the sun was bright, the breeze so gentle yet so refreshing.

The leaves in the trees rustled, the lake glistened.

The tomatoes in our small garden peeked through the leaves of the vine, plump and plentiful, soon to be ripe.

“In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation!” (Psalm 5:3)

Among His creatures awakening in the morning light, there was not a hint of worry over a virus, personal or national economies being rocked, divisions and unrest among so many, or who would lead a nation.

Creation was singing its Maker’s praise, affirming, as we ought, that “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together!” (Colossians 1:17)

It was a time to “be still and know” that He is God (Psalm 46:10); to be steadied by His Word, reminded by His Spirit, settled in my hope!

Our God is creative, and He is ever at work.

He spoke the world into existence, and it is sustained by Him.

He is not surprised by anything that happens, and He longs for His children to rest and, in full dependence on Him, “not fear anything that is frightening!” (I Peter 3:6)

Even now, He is doing a thousand things we can’t see…and it is good!

He is never changing, but, by His grace and to His praise, He is always changing me.

He is always allowing and even causing change in the world and in our worlds, reminding us that:

We are not sovereign.

We are not in control.

We are not able to speak to the storms that rise up and still them.

We are not able to count the clouds or say to the oceans, “This far and no farther…” Nor are we able to tell the lightning bolts where they should go or the stars where to shine. (Job 38)

We are not able to order time or space or weather…or sickness of any kind.

We are not able to thwart the plans of the wicked.

We are not able, apart from the Holy Spirit, to soften hard hearts, remove the scales from spiritually blind eyes, give understanding to the worldly wise but spiritually foolish.

But the God of the universe is more than able!

God IS sovereign!

God IS in control!

God IS able to still the storms, count the clouds, order the oceans and say, “This is where your proud waves halt!” (Job 38)  And, He tells the lightning bolt where it should go, He orders the sun, moon, and stars to shine in the places He has designed and desires…or not!

God IS able to and does order time, space, weather…and sickness.

God IS able to thwart the plans of the wicked, and He does order the steps of man, raises up and deposes rulers in their lands…all for HIS glory!

God IS able to soften hard hearts, heal spiritual blindness and weariness, and humble arrogance.

And, one day, not only will creation continue to sing His praise.  Every knee will bow before Him!

We, who are redeemed and those who long to know the Truth, are called to reset our eyes and fix them “on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2); that we may rest in the sure hope of our Almighty God who “is” and be fully ready to give reason for that hope that is ours in Christ Jesus! (I Peter 3:15)

I will again hear the cacophony of dissonant voices.

I will again see and sometimes experience broken hearts, wounded spirits, and anxious thoughts.

I will again feel the overwhelming weight of the reality of life in a fallen world that is not my home!

But I will remember, and I will rest in the greater reality of the God who is mighty and has provided a Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord.

“This is my Father’s world

O let me never forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet!

This is my Father’s world.

The battle is not done.

Jesus who died shall be satisfied

And earth and heaven be one!”

* If you have trusted in Jesus, by faith, and so are united with God through Him, rest in Him and stay in His unchanging, completely reliable Word, the Bible.

* If you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior, lay your life down and call to Him. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you!” (James 4:8)

It is only through faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, that you can be a child of God.  That is the only true Gospel that redeems and transforms. If you have questions, just ask, or go to http://www.needhim.org/knowing-jesus/