Proclaimed

“1 Peter 1”  original art by L. Wagner (copyrighted)

I have been blessed by meeting some very wonderful people over the internet. One created today’s graphic. She not only captures this world’s beauty, she combines it with the love of God she exhibits in her life. She lifts my spirits so often with the work she does simply by seeing God’s handiwork in every day scenes. She uses her talent to share God’s love. I knew when I saw this one that I needed to ask her permission to share not only the beauty but God’s word.

I went to sleep trying to think of the words to a hymn this photograph brought to mind. I could only remember parts.

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Th' unwearied Sun from day to day
Does his Creator's power display;
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.

Yes, my memory gave me most of it and I woke this morning with that music going through my mind, so I looked it up and found that Joseph Addison wrote it and on this site it is simply called “Hymn.” Of course, I looked further, finding Scripture and Music with “The Spacious Firmament” and a longer explanation:

“The Spacious Firmament” was written by Joseph Addison—one of England’s outstanding writers. These verses were part of a larger essay titled “An Essay on the Proper Means of Strengthening and Confirming Faith in the Mind of Man.” Addison prefaced his work with the words: “The Supreme Being has made the best arguments for His own existence in the formation of the heavens and earth.” Addison’s poem first appeared in The Spectator newspaper in 1712.

David saw this same beauty in God’s creation:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalms 19:1-3)

Jesus spoke of how transient is that beauty:

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Luke 12:27-28)

The purpose of all the beauty God displays for us is in His word. Think about how long the words of His book have been directing mankind toward His salvation. That alone makes it unique. Peter recognized that in the verses Lily chose to include. I like the one before those, too, where it tells us believers are born again.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)

Those are words Jesus gave to Nicodemus:

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:4-7)

Come, please, and study His word. Find out why.