A universe which carries the
print of the Creator's finger!
(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)
In wisdom have YOU made them all."
Psalm 104:24
Let me walk through the world, so
various, so beautiful, so pleasing--
with an open eye. It is strange
that there are many who have no
discernment of its wondrousness.
They are dwellers in a palace, which
has a variety and a magnificence that
India's Taj Mahal never possessed--
and they are blind to its marvels!
But I would ask for a purged
and illuminated vision--
and then YOUR works
in nature will astonish me.
Let me walk through the world,
which is the many-colored vesture
of the LORD, with a believing mind.
It is both strange and sad, that men
should be atheists in a universe which
carries the print of the Creator's finger on . . .
each grain of sand,
each blade of grass,
each beam of light.
They are as senseless as one who
would go through a large factory,
with its complicated mechanisms
and machinery, and would say,
"I do not believe man exists!"
But I would be wiser than they.
I would subscribe to William Law's
sentiment, "Nature is what it is
for this end only--
that the hidden riches, the invisible
powers, the blessings, the glory, and
the love of the unsearchable GOD--
may become visible, sensible,
and manifest in it and by it!"
This is a saner conclusion
than the atheist's.
And let me walk through the world with
a joyous soul. No doubt, there is much
in it to fill the heart with painfulness; and
pessimism has turned to the strifes
and sorrows of creation for proof
of its dismal creed.
But the goodness of GOD is written,
too, in letters of gold on hill and lake
and mountain and forest and stream.
Not a sunrise, but speaks of HIS
patient and enduring grace.
Not a sunset, but stirs the conscience
of the sinner, and opens Heaven itself
to the saint. So much of HIS divine glory,
the ALMIGHTY MAMKER conveys . . .
by HIS sunrise and sunset touches,
by HIS flowers and woodland trees,
by HIS vast ocean and starry sky.
Therefore let me be strong and
of a good courage--
HE remembers me, HIS redeemed child!
The sights and sounds of the landscape
ought to be preachers and trumpets
of the glory of GOD. In the cool of the day,
when I pass through the country fields, or
climb to the summit of the hill, or sit and
gaze across the sea--
GOD and my soul should meet and talk.
the skies proclaim the work of HIS hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where
their voice is not heard!" Psalm 19:1-3
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published William Nicholson's practical short article,
No comments:
Post a Comment