Let’s face it – 2020 has been a strange year.
But God was not surprised by all the events that have happened.

Would you join me in a four-week countdown to Thanksgiving?
When we stop for a moment, we realize we have much to be thankful for.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

(Psalm 19:1-6, English Standard Version)

Nature and beauty are one of the many things for which I thank God.

King David reminds us that sometimes the best way to experience God’s blessing and see His beauty is to simply go outside.

God reveals His majesty in the glory of His creation. The sun by day, the stars by night, the sunrises, the sunsets, all remind us of His immensity and goodness and grand design of this world.

David reminds us that God’s creation does not need a sound, or words – the sight of His creation is enough in itself.

And that leads us to worship Him as the Creator of heaven and earth.

Don’t take my word for it – make some time to go outside and experience Him first-hand.

And when you do, tell God “thank you”.

Here is another take on the glory of God displayed in His creation:

¹ The heavens keep telling
    the wonders of God,
    and the skies declare
    what he has done.
² Each day informs
    the following day;
    each night announces
    to the next.
³ They don’t speak a word,
    and there is never
    the sound of a voice.
⁴ Yet their message reaches
    all the earth,
    and it travels
    around the world.
In the heavens a tent
    is set up for the sun.
⁵ It rises like a bridegroom
    and gets ready like a hero
    eager to run a race.
⁶ It travels all the way
across the sky.
    Nothing hides from its heat.

(Psalm 19:1-6, Contemporary English Version)

Lord, my voice and squiggles on a paper in the form of words are not sufficient to describe the glory and majesty and beauty of Your creation.

Lord, remind me to pause and enjoy You in the world You have created. When I get out in Your creation, I am keenly aware of my smallness and Your bigness. And that brings me great comfort, knowing that You hold the universe together, and yet, You know me by name and care for me.

Thank You for the warmth of the sun, and the coolness of night, and washing everything fresh with showers of rain.

Thank You, Jesus, for being the Creator of all, and then entering Your creation and showing us how to live in it and with each other.

You are amazing, Lord – thank You.

Amen.

Going outside to enjoy God and His creation,
~kevin