For Lord’s Day, November 18, 2012

Dear Saints,

As we sing the first part of Psalm 19 for our morning worship this month, I want to share a quote from Calvin’s Institutes that has really blessed me in my day-to-day observance of God’s hand in nature which stays in my mind’s eye during our corporate praise:

”  … let us not be ashamed to take pious delight in the works of God open and manifest in this most beautiful theater … There is no doubt that the Lord would have us uninterruptedly occupied in this holy meditation … let all readers know that they have with true faith apprehended what it is for God to be Creator of heaven and earth, if they first of all follow the universal rule, not to pass over in ungrateful thoughtfulness or forgetfulness those conspicious powers which God shows forth in his creatures, and then learn so to apply it to themselves that their very hearts are touched.” (Book 1, chapter 14, paragraphs 20-21).

May you deeply reflect on God’s glorious and marvelous power and goodness to you exhibited in General Revelation with the words from Special Revelation that He gives you to do so: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)

I am reminded of the video Elder Renner shared on a Wednesday Night this summer, which pointed out that the universe is so large simply for the purpose of instilling in us how awesome God is.

May your outdoor “theme songs” include Psalm 19:1-6, as well as one of my favorites for hiking:  O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches … The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.  He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.   I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD  (Psalm 104:24, 31-34).

Semper Reformanda,

Pastor Grant