« | Home | »

The heavens declare the glory of God

By Ern Sheong | July 12, 2009

Sometimes I look at a rainbow, admire it for a split second, and jump straight back to what I am doing.

How tragic! For I seek joys that are absent from the moment and miss those which are right there waiting to be admired at that very moment.

Last week, my group, A2F went to Yosemite; on Saturday night, after coming back from a 9 mile hike, some of us (all brothers) sat down under the moonlight. I sat and stared at the moon. It was beautiful. I sat there and chatted, and later on I saw the moon again and realized that it had shifted in position. That’s how long I sat there, glancing occasionally at the beautiful moon.

I never did that for such a long time, or ever. To enjoy and feel the joys of the moment, in the simple things in life.

Often times, I sought after joys in the future, thinking that I would not be happy until then. My mind was and is constantly filled with longings for a romantic relationship. So often have I overlooked the present joys of living, since my eyes were locked on the uncertain future. It is like disdaining the present because of the unseen future. But this “suffering”, or in my context the “agony of the wait” if I will, will produce certain fruits:

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
(Amplified, Romans 5:3-4)

I am committed to wait until the Lord awakes my desire to love somebody:

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem,
by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer:
Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up,
until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.
(The Message, Songs of Solomon 3:5)

I stand amazed at the wonders of creation:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
…

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
(NIV, Psalm 19; 1-3, 7-9)

The splendor and majesty of God is so magnificently arrayed for all to see. Thus:

The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
(NIV, Psalm 14:1)

May God be ever so real in your life.

Topics: General | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “The heavens declare the glory of God”

  1. Shannon Says:
    July 13th, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Well done. I applaud your article. Well written once again. Glory go to the God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  2. cheryl Says:
    August 4th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    hey! came here through yr fb pg, i agree wholeheartedly especially regarding anticipating the future waaay too often and not thoroughly enjoying our current blessings (which are plentiful!)

    p.s. yosemite was beautiful, even in march with crazy piles of snow which we hiked 6 miles in.

Comments