Devotional 3-6-12

Please read Psalm 19

It is no wonder that C. S. Lewis called Psalm 19 “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”  (Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1958, 63).   The psalmist writes of the revelation of God through creation.  “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament^* proclaims his handiwork.”  (v. 1).  If you have ever marveled at a sunset, a newborn baby, the mountains, or the sea, then you know the difficulty in finding the words to express your vision and experience.  Our humanity and our language limit us from describing creation, and from describing God.  “There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice^* goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (vv. 3-4). 

Creation reveals something about God.  The bible reveals something more about God and about God’s relationship with creation. For me, the most meaningful revelation of God is in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and in God’s continuing work and presence of the Holy Spirit.

It is hard to describe the awe-filled presence of God.  Sometimes, words aren’t necessary; other times, words aren’t enough.  There are no words to sufficiently describe God or respond to God’s gifts to us.  This feeling perplexed the ancient psalmist as he or she pondered creation.  It also mystified the twelfth century monk, Bernard of Clairvaux, to whom are attributed the words to the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”  (UMH, 1989, 286).

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

Contemporary writers also give expression to the enigma.  Consider Jarolslav J. Vajda’s ponderings in the third verse of “God of the Sparrow and God of the Whale.”  (UMH, 1989, 122).

God of the rainbow

God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks?

This Lent, may we consider how our lives can faithfully respond to God’s gifts of creation, God’s gift of the Word, and God’s gift of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jeff Taylor