Encouragement for Today - Sept. 26, 2008

September 26, 2008

A Reflection of God’s Glory

Susanne Scheppmann

“How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures . . . May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.” Psalm 104:24, 31 (NIV)

Devotion:

Modern technology is amazing. I remember as a child watching high-speed photography of a flower budding and blooming. The photography captured days of nature’s movement and beauty, so that in a few minutes I could see and understand what took place in my garden.

Even though we can see pictures, movies, and read books on the wonder of nature, there is nothing like experiencing it for ourselves.

So often, we miss the glory of God in nature. Stress and busyness hinder our senses from recognizing the beauty of God’s creation. We allow life’s mundane tasks to strip us of opportunities to increase our faith. Yet the earth’s Creator gifted us with the five senses?sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. He did this so we can experience His character and personality.

Our God rules nature?nature does not control God. The Creator spread out the stars in the heavens and set the foundations of the earth. He covered it with water and then set the boundaries of the seas. He assigned the rivers to their places in the mountains. He provides water to all living things. God causes grass and plants to grow. He provides nutrition and lodging for His creatures. He enables us to cultivate and work the earth so we, in return, will glorify Him.

The Lord has given us proof through nature that He exists and that He provides for His creation. My faith increases when I stop to think about the miraculous beauty of nature. If God can take care of the mighty heavens and the spinning earth, then I know He is able to take care of me.

Dear Lord, open my eyes to Your wonders. Forgive me for taking for granted so many things that are amazing creations formed by Your hands. As I watch for nature to display Your wonder, increase my faith in You, my Creator. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann

Perplexing Proverbs ? A Woman’s Bible Study by Susanne Scheppmann

Application Steps:

Plan a day this month to enjoy nature and God’s presence. Take a journal along to record your experiences and thoughts while outside.

Reflections: 

Am I too busy to enjoy nature?

What can nature teach me about God’s character?

Do I praise God when He reveals a glory of nature to me?

Power Verses:

Psalm 8:3-4, “When I consider your heavens, the 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?” (NIV)

Psalm 19:1-4, “The heavens declare the glory of God; 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. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org