The Beauty of Holiness

Introduction

It is in the fall that the skies become a blue that can only be seen but not aptly described. During the summer with the haze and pollutants the sky is a dull shade of blue. But during the fall, with the coming of Canadian air, the sky turns a blue that is indescribable. Consider the nighttime sky. All one must do is look up into the heavens and know that the vastness of what is see makes us feel very small. One can look at the vastness of the sky and be amazed at that which they see or one can look at the vastness of the sky and be amazed at the one who made it. The first is Carl Sagan; the second is King David. The first looks at and appreciates the created thing; the other looks, appreciates, and praises the one who created. Our task this morning is to understand that our worship will come from a sense of awe and wonderment and from that kind of heart we praise the Creator.

Our Response to Nature

The psalmist’s response to nature is one of awe and meaning. So many times we find ourselves looking at the vastness of the universe and seeing ourselves as small and infinitesimal. However, the reaction of the psalmist is not to highlight the smallness of man’s existence but the careful attention that God has paid to humans. The psalmist doesn’t worship that which God created but worships the Creator.

Some worship nature today. Some are very concerned about taking care of that which God has made. And his disciples will be concerned about that which he created. But some are more concerned about the created than they are about humans. The point is not to worship the created but the worship the Creator who brought us the created things. Paul has a similar view in Romans 1. In verse 20, Paul says that the creation reveals God’s invisible qualities — his eternal nature and divine power. Creation shouts about God’s power and the vastness of God’s nature. Who hasn’t looked up at the nighttime sky and wondered just how far away everything is? Who hasn’t wondered how far one could go before touching the next galaxy?

Paul goes on to say that although nature shouts about God’s nature and power, some have worshiped that which is manmade. Instead of worshiping God as Creator, some have made images that look like humans, birds, animals, and reptiles and worshiped this manmade images. Such a practice dishonors the one who made creation.

So What?

If creation then reveals the nature and power of God and we are to draw near to the Creator as a response to nature, then what does this have to do with us today? The last two weeks have been to demonstrate that worship is the proper response when one is in the presence of the divine. Moses in Exodus 34, worshiped God when God revealed himself in ways he never had before. Peter in Luke 5, worshiped when he knew he was in the presence of the divine. When we have a better understanding about the nature of God, then worship is the response which comes.

Worship is also the response when we come to realize the vastness of God’s world. It is not a matter of worshiping nature itself, but the God who created it all. When our eyes are lifted to the skies, our hearts are also lifted. We know that the Creator took and still takes note of us. He crowns us with glory and honor. He placed us in the position of ruler over that which he created. We are not mere specks of dust in a vast seas of universes, but we careful planning, God has given us the seat of honor.

First, this means that we have purpose in this life. Victor Frankl was imprisoned during WWII by the Nazis. His only crime was being Jewish. Frankl survived that experience and later wrote about his experiences in a book entitled Man’s Search for Meaning. His book has been and may still be required reading for students going into the helping profession. After having sold more the millions of copies, Frankl was asked about his unexpected success. His summary is penetrating. “I do not at all see … my book so much an achievement or an accomplishment on my part, but rather as an expression of the misery of our time. If hundreds of thousands of people reach out for a book whose title promises to deal with the question of meaning in life, it follows that the search for meaning and purpose must burn under the fingernails of every man and woman.”

God did not create to have meandering around trying to find our way. The psalmist encourages us to look up. To see the vastness of the universe and to express praise to the Creator. God did not create haphazardly. He created fully aware that he was giving us opportunities to make an impact in this world. An impact in the way we care for his creation and an impact to point others in his way. Look up and see the glory of God.

Second, this text teaches that praise is the response to God’s creation. Notice that the psalm begins and ends with a shout of praise. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Notice verse 2. God ordains praise from the lips of children and infants in order to silence his enemies. Even the lowliest of humans, cries out in praise to the Creator God.

Jesus uses this text in Matthew 21:16. Jesus enters the temple area and drives out those who abusing and misusing God’s temple. He is healing the blind and the lame. And the children are shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The religious leaders are angered by such displays. Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 to fulfill scripture. The religious leaders are not angered when God’s house is turned into a place to mistreat people, but let a little praise take place and they become angered. Too many times we take our eyes off of the skies and look only at the immediate. Too many times we are reluctant to praise for fear of how others may react.

Too often we get too sophisticated and diminish praise. Worship is the response of heart to what we see in nature. It is the response when we are aware of how God has thought about us. It is the response when we understand our purpose in this world. Is there a worship response in your heart today? Have you come with lips of praise?

Years ago, we were attending another congregation on some sort of vacation outing. During the singing of a song, there was little girl not too far from us who knew one of the songs and knew it well. She was singing at the top of her voice the praise which came from that song. We may get embarrassed; smile; or like a good Pharisee cut our eyes to suggest to the parent to quiet the child. God is honored in the praise of children. Jesus acknowledged that. May God give us childlike hearts so that we can praise him.

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