“If I have made gold my trust
or called fine gold my confidence,
if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant
or because my hand had found much,
if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
or the moon moving in splendor,
and my heart has been secretly enticed,
and my mouth has kissed my hand,
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
for I would have been false to God above.” Job 31:24-28
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” Romans 1:18-23,25
Almighty God has designed, and made, such an exquisite heaven and earth that when we let our senses and emotions loose in our wonder, we can get tempted to worship the created rather than the Creator. It’s a natural tendency of the flesh since Eden, and one with which we must daily reckon. We like what we can see and touch, yet knowing and exalting the Source behind enriches our beholding exponentially.
It’s hard not to be enthralled with the lavish variety of color, shape, scent and movement, yet our Lord is the Spring from which flows the waterfall of balance, hue, pattern, and melody. We enjoy nothing His mind has not conceived nor His hand made, and even our ability to enjoy with senses is a gift from above. When we gaze long enough and with willing intention, we recognize the love, glory, and masterful design behind. (Psalm 19:1-3; 24:1; Job 37:10-13; 41:11; 1 Corinthians 2:9)
What disciplines do we daily practice to remind us it is the LORD behind every goodness and gift? What time do we take to worship Him for who He is apart from us- all Him, no me? Are we meditating on and savoring the holy delights of His word, and repeating them back in praise? Do we search out His initiative in every growth, His cause for every effect? With whom do we share His personal handiwork and lessons, His answers to prayer?
With every soak in warm sun, would we praise the One who created light from darkness and upholds the sun and stars? In every flower would we praise His creative symmetry and thoughtful whimsy of color? His glory redounds in and behind all He has made, and we are created to offer that glory to Him. (Genesis 1:3-5; Isaiah 43:7; Hebrews 1:3)
Maker of all that is good and lovely, keep my heart enthralled with You and not what You have made. May my going and coming reflect You as my Source, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
As the rain and snow 