Week 4: Day 1
Beauty as a Reflection of God’s Glory
Scripture to meditate on:
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 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.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing 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 decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:1-14
Devotional:
As we journey through the concept of beauty this week, may we see the beauty of God reflected in the world around us, in creativity, in relationships, in worship, and in acts of justice. May we also embrace the paradox of beauty in brokenness and to look forward with hope to your promise of renewal. NT Wright’s insights on beauty in his book, Broken Signposts can be a powerful lens through which to explore spirituality and God’s presence in our lives.
Questions to ponder:
- How do you perceive God’s glory in the beauty of nature?
- Think about a specific natural scene that has moved you. What aspects of it pointed to God’s creativity and presence?
- How can you intentionally seek out and appreciate the beauty of creation in your daily life?
