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

Home