Sunday 18th October 2020 – Psalm 19
The stars declare his glory; the vault of heaven springs mute witness of the Master’s hand in all created things, and through the silences of space their soundless music sings.
The dawn returns in splendour, the heavens burn and blaze, the rising sun renews the race that measures all our days, and writes in fire across the skies God’s majesty and praise.
So shine the Lord’s commandments to make the simple wise; more sweet than honey to the taste, more rich than any prize, a law of love within our hearts, a light before our eyes.
So order too this life of mine, direct it all my days; the meditations of my heart be innocence and praise, my Rock, and my redeeming Lord, in all my words and ways.
Timothy Dudley Smith © 1981 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188
You can hear v1 here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-I6gX9UtP8
Reflection
Spirit of God, present within the beat of our hearts, the pulse of our neighbour, and within all of life – but we still lift our eyes to acknowledge your presence.
The bluest of skies, the darkest of nights, the stampede of clouds and the glitter of stars – all speak of glory, of the splendour of Creation in its infinite and finite expressions.
As we orbit the sun, and the moon runs its course, events uncountable occur. Lessons are learned and forgotten, relationships born and broken, changes made and resisted, yet there is no single voice, or a unified account. But still, if we could but hear it, a chorus made up of billions of sounds blast forth from our tiny corner of the universe.
Within the spark of Creation, the laws were set, the constants determined, and through the ages our understanding has, and continues, to develop, deepen and dilate. From rejoicing with the dawn, to placing ourselves at the centre, to seeing that we are but one orbiting planet in a galaxy, to whatever we discover in the future; in faith, in trust, we name God, within, around and beyond all that is.
In all that speaks of perfection, wisdom, simplicity, justice, clarity, purity, eternity, and truth; in faith, in trust, we name God, within, around and beyond all that is.
In all that enlivens our spirits, heightens our confidence, causes us to rejoice, gives us clarity of vision, makes us awestruck and feel blameless; in faith, in trust, we name God, within, around and beyond all that is.
For us to reflect God’s glory, is beyond price and the sweetest of rewards.
For us to deflect God’s glory, is too often our true nature and we are called to search ourselves, challenge our assumptions, be of humble heart, and place ourselves at the service of God’s Kingdom.
Prayer
Let the words we speak, and the thoughts we keep to ourselves, both be acceptable to God. God, Spirit within, ground of our being and our continual Saviour. Amen
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