When we speak of nature speaking, particularly speaking of the glory and existence of God, we likely most often think of Psalm 19 – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies above proclaim His handiwork.” A lesser-known one that I came across recently is Psalm 65. The chapter describes much of how the natural world evidences the protection and care of the Lord. What most caught my attention was the end of verse 8: “You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” I was thinking about what the “going out of the morning and the evening” means, and it appears that it would be the sunrise and sunset.
It “just so happens” that two of my favorite views out here are of the sunrise and sunset. About a half-mile down the road, there’s a break in the trees that line both sides of the road, and through the gap, there’s an absolutely stunning view of a hillside pasture, a pond and valley spread out at the bottom, and the sunrise framed by the trees on either side. It’s easily one of the two most gorgeous sights that I see on a regular basis. The other is the sunset across the valley and opposing ridge as seen from my front yard. Here too it’s framed by trees, and the colors are vibrant and indescribably beautiful.
If any part of the natural world shouts for joy, it would be these views, in my mind. They speak to me of the goodness and providence and majesty of God more strongly than I would have thought possible.
You are blessed to see such awesome wonders of God so close to home. In the NIV Psalm 65 verse 8 ends “where morning dawns and evening fades, you call forth songs of Joy”
God paints a picture more beautiful than we can image, and lays it out for us, if we only take the time, be still, and look.
Thanks again for showing us the simple things of God that are so wonderful.