Heaven is declaring God’s glory;
the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
2 One day gushes the news to the next,
and one night informs another what needs to be known.
3 Of course, there’s no speech, no words—
their voices can’t be heard—
4 but their sound extends throughout the world;
their words reach the ends of the earth.
God has made a tent in heaven for the sun.
5 The sun is like a groom
coming out of his honeymoon suite;
like a warrior, it thrills at running its course.
6 It rises in one end of the sky;
its circuit is complete at the other.
Nothing escapes its heat.
7 The Lord’s Instruction is perfect,
reviving one’s very being.
The Lord’s laws are faithful,
making naive people wise.
8 The Lord’s regulations are right,
gladdening the heart.
The Lord’s commands are pure,
giving light to the eyes.
Reflection
Remember the first time you saw the Milky Way spread across the darkness of the night sky? The incredible brightness, the colors of the stars and the swirling gas of stellar nurseries, leaves you at a loss for words: that experience of smallness against all of God’s creation. Maybe you experienced an amazing sunrise or sunset as you began or ended your day. That kind of heart breaking beauty that stops you in your tracks as nature seems to sing out to you. You take a picture, but it fails to capture the beauty. In those moments, when you look up, you experience a hint of the glory of God made manifest in God’s creation.
David looked up to the heavens, and he experienced God’s revealed glory and wrote this song. The imagery of light in this psalm celebrates the glory of God. All of God’s creation points to God’s glory, it sings and speaks in a language all of humanity can understand. David uses the light of the sun and stars as a metaphor for his experience of God as the unfailing guiding light, as constant, faithful, and life giving.
David then compares his experience of the light of God’s glory in creation, to the light he receives from following God’s laws. Following God’s laws instructs us, revives us, provides wisdom and guidance. The Lord’s commandments, to love God and love others, enlightens our hearts and minds by lighting the path forward for us in a world of sin and darkness.
Today we also look to the scriptures as the guiding light of God. The words instruct us on how to love God and love others. As children of God we are meant to reflect the light of Christ in dark places. Jesus called his followers “children of the light” and instructed us to let our light shine for the whole world to see. Our living examples as followers of Jesus, and our good works enabled by the Holy Spirit, shine through us and bring God’s light to the world and give glory to God.
By Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering & Prayer
When was the last time you looked up at the sky and experienced the glory of God through creation? Did you experience God’s presence in that moment? How has the light from God’s Word illuminated the dark times in your life? This week look for opportunities to be the light of Christ to others in need.
Prayer: Holy God, remind us to look up and see your glory in the light of your creation. Enlighten our hearts and mind through your scriptures to love you and love others, so that like Jesus, we can share your light with all we meet. Amen.