You are creation’s crowning glory

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Most of us who live in smog-riddled cities — particularly those who’ve been stuck in them during Covid-19 lockdowns — relish the opportunity to trade skyscrapers for trees every once in a while. It’s interesting how often Scripture pulls our attention to Nature to see God’s handiwork. From the intricate glories of sunrises to the beauty of the lilies of the field, evidence of His majesty surrounds us and serves as a reminder of His goodness. 

It’s no wonder that Psalm 19 says that “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork”. The wonders of creation practically shout out the character of God! 

In Romans 1, Paul echoes Psalm 19:3, explaining that God’s invisible attributes have been “clearly perceived” in creation. When the Pharisees tried to quiet the throngs of followers celebrating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, He told them that the very stones — that is, creation itself — would cry out in His praise. 

Yet, it was humans that God made the crowning jewel of His creation. The pinnacle achievement of the days of creation, the ones whose chief purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. We, with our frail bodies, sinful hearts, idiosyncrasies, cancers, and coughs. More than the trillions of stars or the beauties of the most majestic landscapes, it’s us in whom God has chosen to fully reflect Himself. I’m not the most outdoorsy of persons, but even I’m moved to ask , “What is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?” (Psalm 8:4). 

It was humans that God made the crowning jewel of His creation… We, with our frail bodies, sinful hearts, idiosyncrasies, cancers, and coughs

Reflecting His glory

In Psalm 19, the writer begins by considering how creation declares God’s glory, but ends with a humble prayer for the Lord to keep him pure from sin. Finally, he asks that everything he does is acceptable to the Lord — both his words and the very thoughts of his heart. There’s an obvious connection between the two. Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). 

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul,” says Psalm 19. How can we truly reflect His glory? Only by letting His word indwell and transform our hearts and minds. The Word Himself — Author of all creation — became flesh, entered our lowly, frail, human existence… and we “beheld His glory”. That same Word dwells within those of us who are believers, just as the glory of the Lord inhabited the temple in Jerusalem.  

In response to the glory of creation, we can only pray that the words of our mouth, the meditation of our hearts, and the actions of our hands declare the Lord’s glory even more clearly. It’s both an amazing truth and a deeply significant responsibility. 

Each time your heart is stirred by the beauties of nature, take a moment to consider the awesome truth that His glory dwells within you, and repeat the psalmist’s prayer that every single thought and deed would bring honour to Him.