Praise of Creation

Written By: Kate Belford

One evening while outside watering my garden I took my eyes off what I was doing and looked

out across the sky. It was such a beautiful sunset. Breathtaking. My heart started to swell with

gratitude and these words of praise began to come off my lips “the hands that paint the sky at

night, are the hands that mold and shape my life, the God of wonder.” I recognized through this

moment we are so often consumed with what is going on in and around us we sometimes

forget we have an amazing God. We are to praise Him at all times.

The words “the hands that paint the sky at night” leads us to the scripture “the heavens declare

the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”(Psalm 19:1). Creation speaks of our

Creator. The sky proclaims or publicly declares the workmanship of His hands. Psalm 19:2-4

continues “day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They

have no speech they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into

all the earth, their words to the ends of the world”. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been

working together from the beginning speaking all that is into existence. Psalm 98:8 explains the

praise of creation stating “let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing for joy”. What

an amazing expression the beauty of creation reveals. We also get to experience Gods majesty

and splendor when we bask in creation.

For in the very beginning of the bible in Genesis 1 God created the heavens and the earth,

moon and the stars, living creatures, fish of the sea and birds of the air. After each was created

He said it was good. But alas He created man in His own image and said it was very good. “The

hands that mold and shape my life point to Isaiah 64:8, “yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are

the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand”. Just like the potter has complete

control over his clay that he is forming and shaping into a unique creation. Gods sovereignty is

the same over our lives. Molding, shaping, and stretching do not feel great but that is where

our lives are transformed. You see, Gods plans and purposes for man far outweigh the earth

which will soon pass away (1 John 2:17). “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that

this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but

not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not

destroyed”(2 Corinthians 4:7-9). Our Creator is patient and gentle, caring for us in the special

ways only He can. During the great times it natural to praise Him yet we are also called to praise

Him in the discomfort and pain during transformation or as we call it sanctification. He never

leaves; He is continually with us. We are in His hands. He is creating space for less of us and

more of Him. In John 3:30 John the Baptist testifies about Jesus and says “ He must become

greater, I must become less”. That is true if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Humble yourself

and exalt Him. Praise Him for the works He has done. Praise Him for His sovereignty. Praise Him

for His patience. Praise Him for He is faithful. As we spend more time praising, exalting, and

worshipping, echoing heaven; we forget our human nature. We are being transformed into his

image with ever increasing glory (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The God of wonder. “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can

fathom” (Psalm 145:3). As finite beings our minds cannot grasp the fullness of God therefore He

is unable to be fully known. This leaves an awe and wonder of Him. In wonder of the beautiful

earth He created and what the heavens really look like. In wonder of how he created and

designed man and woman with the ability to procreate. In wonder as we contemplate the

conception and life of Jesus Christ. In wonder of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who call

Christ, Lord. May we never lose the wonder of God. “Let everything that has breath praise the

Lord. Praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

Heavenly Father, you are an awesome God. Your majesty and splendor are on display

proclaiming your name day and night. I pray this day we would have fresh eyes and see you in

all things. That praise would continually come off our lips and our lives would also glorify you

Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!

Consider the wonder of God. I invite you into a time of praise and adoration toward Him.