We had only arrived at the borders
of the works of GOD!
(Christopher Sturm, "Reflections", 1750-1786)
work of YOUR fingers, the moon and
the stars, which YOU have set in place--
what is man that YOU are mindful
of him, the son of man that YOU
care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4
Could we transport ourselves
above the moon, could we reach
the highest star above our heads--
we would instantly discover new
skies, new stars, new suns, new
systems, and perhaps more
magnificently adorned!
But even there, the vast dominions
of our great Creator would not
terminate; we would then find, to
our astonishment, that we had
only arrived at the borders
of the works of GOD!
It is but little that we can know
of HIS works, but that little should
teach us to be humble, and to admire
GOD'S wisdom, power and goodness.
How great must that Being be, who
produced these immense globes
out of nothing, who regulates their
courses, and whose mighty hand
directs and supports them all!
What is this clod of earth which we
inhabit, with all the magnificent
scenes it presents to us--
in comparison of those
innumerable worlds? Were this
earth annihilated, its absence
would no more be observed,
than the removal of a grain of
sand from the vast sea shore!
What then are all our fine
homes and belongings--
when compared with those
infinite worlds? They are but
atoms dancing in the air, which
are revealed to us by the sunbeams!
What then am I, when reckoned among
the infinite number of GOD'S creatures?
I am lost in my own nothingness!
But as little as I appear in this respect--
I find myself great in others. There is
great beauty in this starry skies which
GOD has chosen for HIS throne!
How admirable are
those celestial bodies!
I am dazzled with their splendor,
and enchanted with their beauty!
But notwithstanding this, however
beautiful, and however richly adorned--
yet this sky is void of intelligence.
It is a stranger to its own beauty--
while I, who am mere clay, molded
by a divine hand, am endowed
with sense and reason.
I can contemplate the beauty
of these shining worlds; nay, more,
I am already, to a certain degree,
acquainted with their sublime
Author; and by faith I see some
small rays of HIS divine glory.
O may I be more and more
acquainted with HIS works,
and make the study of them
my employ, until by a glorious
change I rise to dwell with HIM
above the starry regions!
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