Dial-a-Devotion -- January 8

In the name of Jesus our Savior, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church welcomes you to ‘Dial-a-Devotion’, this is Vicar Tom Schlund.  Our text for today is from Psalm 19 which reads:

The heavens declare the glory of God,
 and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech,
 and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words,
 whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth,
 and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
  and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
 and its circuit to the end of them,
 and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Man it has been cold lately! The news has been calling this cold weather system that we’re experiencing a “polar vortex”.  This bitterly cold weather has made it painful to be outside and left us longing for those warmer spring and summer days.

Do you know what is funny about the weather?  We never seem to be satisfied with it.  Right now it is too cold and we long for the warmer days.  When the summer comes we’ll find it to be too hot and we’ll wish for the cooler fall days. 

One thing that is easy to overlook in bad weather, when we’re complaining about the cold or the heat, is the beauty of God’s creation.  We hear about that in our scripture reading for today.  King David tells us that “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” God has given us this beautiful world that he created for our enjoyment.  If we stop to look around we will find that it really is beautiful.  Whether it is the freshly fallen snow on the ground or a beautiful summer sunset, God has given us a beautiful world in which to live.

It is this gift of a beautiful creation that is a daily reminder of God’s power and might.  It is also our assurance in the times of trial and challenges.  We can be reminded that God, the supreme creator and ruler of the Universe, loves us and cares for us.  He cares for us so much that he became man and restored our relationship with him.  Now we can be assured that whether we are hot or cold, rich or poor, sick or healthy, God is our refuge and strength and our hope for eternity.

Let us pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating the world and everything in it.  Thank you for the sunsets and the snow, the trees and the mountains, the rivers and the plains and everything else around us.  Help us to always remember that you love us and care for us and that we can always trust in you.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen