Burst Open

“He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 147:4

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth…
when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?..

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place?..

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
    and where is the place of darkness?..

“What is the way to the place where the light is distributed?..

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
    and a way for the thunderbolt,
to bring rain on a land where no man is,..
 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
    and to make the ground sprout with grass?

“Has the rain a father,
    or who has begotten the drops of dew?
From whose womb did the ice come forth,
    and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?..

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
    or loose the cords of Orion?
Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,
    or can you guide the Bear with its children?
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
    Can you establish their rule on the earth?

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
    that a flood of waters may cover you?
Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
    and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
    or given understanding to the mind?
Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
    Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens?” Job 38:4,7,12,19,24-29,31-37

It was as though the sky would burst this morning, hours before dawn… or was it my heart? The black expanse, sprinkled with twinkly stars and bright planets, mesmerized the gazing eye. Orion stood sentry, lighting repeatedly flashed its otherworldly splendor, a shooting star trailed bold and quickly. Silent to the ear save for doleful wind chimes, a vibrant singing feast for sight, the heavens lift and fill the wondering soul. O come let us adore Him!

Who holds the majesty in my daily life? What fills my attention, affection, and devotion? What makes me burst with pride, awe, praise, anticipation? Is it what I know, and expect to keep on knowing and fearing and loving, of my Christ? Whatever captivates also dictates how I think and decide, and what I portray. (Revelation 4:1-11)

If I am to give honor to God, if I am to affirm worth in people, if I am to promote lofty truth and beauty, I must take time to contemplate the loveliness of Jesus. Behold His wondrous works in all He’s made. Look upon His loving eyes, His pierced hands, His throne at God’s right hand. What wells up in me in response?

“Fair is the sunshine, 
fairer still the moonlight, 
and all the twinkling starry host:  
Jesus shines brighter, 
Jesus shines purer 
than all the angels heaven can boast.

Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.” ~Münster Gesangbuch (1677)

Lord, so fill me with the wonder of You that I daily burst open with joyful praise and magnify Your splendor and glory.