God Speaks through Natural Things

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3).

All nature joins in manifold witness to the goodness and glory of God.

“Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth; Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalms 148:8-13).

Each and every one of these categorical marvels of nature serves God’s purpose. And often becomes the vehicle through which He makes Himself known among us.

One example comes to mind. The prophet Jeremiah was told by God to go to the potter’s house, where he would hear the word of the Lord. Jeremiah obeyed. He tells us that upon arriving he saw the potter working at the wheel on a lump of clay, fashioning it as it suited his desires. “Then the word of the LORD came to me,” Jeremiah tells us, “saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel” (Jer 18:5-6).

Moving to the New Testament we need only scan the parables of Jesus to see this principle at work. If you don’t realize that God speaks through natural things, how will you fully appreciate the beauty of Jesus’ insight into the many stories He told us, using natural things to convey a supernatural message?

Consider the sower casting his seed upon the ground; or the great treasure hidden in the field; or the merchant giving everything for a rare and costly pearl; or the King making a marriage supper for his son. Each of these natural, everyday occurrences suddenly take on a newer and fuller significance as we see though through the eyes of Jesus.

Why not live every day like that? Learn to see things with two sets of eyes! You just might find that your whole world all around you is teeming with the divine!

Years ago I saw this cartoon in the local paper. It showed a little girl entertaining herself by playing with a beam of sunlight shining through her bedroom window. Her mother walked into the room as the little girl was playing with the light.

"Look mommy" she said, "Isn't it beautiful?" She then began explaining to her mom all the many things she saw while playing with the sunbeam. "It's like an angel's gown and I'm fixing the hem", she said. "Now it's like a movie projector and I can make the actors appear on the wall." With childlike excitement she continued, "Now I'm pretending it's a magic slide! See how my hand glides down the surface?"

On and on the little girl went, telling her mom all the delightful things she saw in the sunbeam. Finally, as the little girl left her room to play with a friend, the mom stood alone in thoughtful silence looking at the sunbeam. "And to think", she then said to herself, "a moment ago all I saw was dust."

What do YOU see?
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