Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 21, 2016
By Tripp Prince.
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. Psalm 19:1-4
As I write this, I am looking out onto the beauty of the Gulf coast. Trees sway effortlessly in the sea breeze. Wave after wave gently crashes upon the sandy beach. In many ways the beauty is simply more than anyone can possibly take in, and yet we as human beings are all deeply drawn to beauty. Why is this?
Beauty is a peculiar thing. It doesn’t produce any tangible goods. It can’t be bought or sold, and it is hard to even objectively define. Yet it is universally valued and pursued. We seek it out in the wonder of nature, in art and architecture, and in the eyes of a lover. Beauty, wonder, and glory are all interrelated themes that are central to the story of Scripture and part of a life of faithful discipleship.
In Psalm 19, the Psalmist speaks directly to the significance of beauty. However, in this psalm we learn a central truth about the Christian response to beauty: for Christ followers, beauty is never an end in and of itself. No, it is instead a glorious invitation to direct our wonder and amazement beyond beauty to the creator of beauty himself.
To help us learn this lesson, the Psalmist gives beauty a voice. Though no sound is made, the voice of beauty can be heard in all the earth. From the vastness of the sea to the wonder of the starry skies, all creation lifts its voice and invites us to join in the worship of almighty God. Our affection for beauty should deepen in us our affection for the creator of heaven and earth. When we see things in this world that cause us to marvel and wonder with amazement, we should see them as windows through which we see the beauty of God who is pure wonder and majesty.
If you have eyes to see it, I guarantee that you will see beauty today that moves your heart to wonder and desire. Let that desire draw you closer to the love of our creative, beautiful, and wonderworking God!
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
Prayer: Father, help us today to rejoice in all that you have made and in the beauty of your creation see your majesty and great love for us.
Application: How can the beauty all around you deepen your love and affection for Jesus?
Related Readings: Psalm 50:2; Psalm 69:34; Psalm 96:6
Worship Resource: 5 minute video – David Crowder Band: All Creatures of Our God and King
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Thank you Wisdom Hunters for providing this daily devotion service. Many days this is all the Word and devotion I get. I try for this to be the first email I read when I get to the office. It is a very appropriate way to get the Lord integrated into my business day!
Dear Kyle,
Thank you for those very kind and thoughtful words about the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals. Please know that I will pass along your comments to Boyd and the rest of the Wisdom Hunter’s team. I know they will be blessed by them. We give God all the glory for every word that touches the hearts of our readers!
This devotional, “The Purpose of Beauty” was written by our guest writer, Tripp Prince. We are so blessed to have Tripp write for us.
Kyle, we are thankful for you and appreciate you taking the time to reach us. We love hearing from our Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again.
If there is ever anything we can do for you, please let us know. We have a prayer team that will be happy to pray for you, your family and friends, if you have any prayer requests. (You can email me gwynne@wisdomhunters.com)
Grateful for you~
Gwynne
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.
Ephesians 2:10
Interesting, but if you don’t think beauty can be sold You must not be very familiar with commercial products, including automobiles, cinema, art, photography, anything that’s been designed, prostitution, etc. etc.
Good morning Ty. Thank you for reaching out to us with your thought provoking comments regarding beauty. I can see where you are coming from with these examples however, I think we may be speaking of two different “types” of beauty. The beauty that Tripp writes about in “The Purpose of Beauty” does not resemble a manufactured or material beauty. I think Tripp is referring to a Godly beauty that comes from Him by Him. His “artwork” in nature, in a child’s laugh, a grateful heart, etc…
Thank you Ty. We always love to hear from our Wisdom Hunter’s family and appreciate your comments. We look forward to hearing from you again.
May God Bless you,
Gwynne
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18