“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!”
Psalm 96:1

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t written in a while. I’ve been on vacation to visit my daughter in her new home in Colorado. I tell you what, the Rocky Mountains are impressive! If you have the chance, go.

It’s hard not to be awestruck by the sheer size of these piles of rock. One can clearly see how they are merely wrinkles in the fabric of the surface of the earth. It’s hard to comprehend the massive force that it took to do all this.

At the same time, the plains are just as spectacular. Yes, I know lots of people complain about the drive across the Dakotas and through the bread basket of our country, but they are just as beautiful as the mountains. Different, yes, but no less beautiful. God is just as much present in the prairie as he is in the mountains. He is the creator of all.

Psalm 96 is one of my favorites. I have lots of favorites, but this one is in the top ten, probably. Take a couple minutes to let it soak in.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and all the peoples in his faithfulness.

That’s what I think about my drive across the country!

Father, all this, the earth and the heavens, are made to display your glory. I can’t help but wonder if all this wasn’t simply for our benefit so that we might know you. Lord, let not our attention be wrapped up in the majesty of the mountains but rather let us give praise to you. That’s the whole point, right? Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers