By Tom Wiles | For The Times-Post
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 his knowledge is proclaimed. They speak without a sound or a word; there’s no speech or language where their voice is not heard. — Psalm 19:1-3
Talking is a big deal in my family.
When the five kids were young and all at home…Yikes!
The waterfall of words at the dinner table fell unimpeded.
Typically, there were at least two talking at all times and there seemed to be this unwritten rule that any story had to be repeated four times.
I never did figure that one out, but I did figure out that if I listened closely enough, I would gain great insight into the world of whoever was speaking.
The Psalmist picked up on this same phenomenon when he looked up.
Day or night, it didn’t matter.
Powerful words were being spoken.
The subject of the conversation was and is always the same — God.
When listened to carefully the conversation of creation reveals great insights into who he is and what he is like.
And, since he is infinite, the conversation will never run out of fresh content.
The creation calls out boldly drawing the attention of every people group on planet Earth.
What do you hear when you listen to all that God has made?
Perhaps another question should be asked first, “Are you taking time to listen to God’s creation?”
Any time of day is fine.
Just take time to listen.
Some serious truths are being revealed even at this very moment that have tremendous implications for our lives.
What do you say we take a minute and listen in?
Come now
Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! … Come now, let’s settle this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. — Isaiah 1:1-31
“Okay, now tell your sister that you’re sorry,” I said.
Most of the time our kids would apologize from the heart.
It was real.
They love each other and have never wanted to hurt any of the others.
Even still, there were times when the “I’m sorry” was obviously less than sincere.
The sarcastic tone and defiant look on the face revealed a heart that wasn’t truly embracing a repentant humility.
As Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry, God’s people were in a bad place.
God’s descriptions were stinging indictments of a national heart gone wrong – “a sinful nation,” “evil people” and “corrupt children.”
They had stopped recognizing God’s care for them.
Without love for God, they continued to go through the insincere rituals rendering them void of any real significance.
God then offered them a choice between continued troubles or a fresh start.
As God made the invitation to his people to come to him for a new life, Jesus later made the same invitation to all of us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened and you will find rest for your souls.”
Living in this world, the world’s way is absolutely exhausting.
Trying to create meaning and purpose for ourselves is a never-ending pushing of the boulder uphill.
When we come to Jesus, we find out who we are by finding out who he is.
Tom Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.
