Summer’s just around the corner—and what a great time to get a good look at God’s amazing creation: seas, trees, stars, clouds, rivers, hills, flowers, fields, and all that summer sunshine.
Of course, creation is so spectacular that we can be tempted to worship it rather than its Maker. But that would be idolatry and lead to destruction (Romans 1:25). “Beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them” (Deuteronomy 4:19). Yes, beware.
In fact, we face the same risk with all God’s blessings: he gives us one another and we’re tempted to worship human acceptance; he gives us healthy bodies and we’re tempted to cherish physical well-being above all else; he provides our daily bread and we’re tempted to turn bodily appetites into ultimate rights. God’s point in giving us all good gifts is the same as his purpose for painting the natural world in such stunning colors: to prompt us to look beyond the canvas and exalt the Master Artist: the heavens declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1), not their own. Northern lights and crashing waves and shimmering sunsets and soaring birds call us to praise the Maker of all things. So look up and see God’s glorious creation, absolutely!—but look up further still to gaze upon and praise the Master Artist, the Magnificent Creator!
Is this kind of worship happening for you? Can you echo Psalm 104:24, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all”? And 104:31, “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works”? And 8:1, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens”? And 57:11, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”? Let all people “… praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13)!
