Worship in Splendor

The stars are brighter up here on the mountain top. In the darkest part of night the sky floods with a sea of glittering orbs hung precisely in their places, announcing an order and a purpose to their being. 

We lean back in our chairs and crank our necks way back to view the expanse. Taking turns calling out the constellations sitting beneath a milky river flowing constant over the globe. We feel small with wonder. 

In darkness we can see this kind of glory. The light reaches us through the eons reminding us of our position among creation. What are we that He is mindful of us, sons and daughters, that he would call us each by name? Each of us a child of the one true King.

Have you had this kind of mountain top experience? When your heart feels about to burst from majestic wonder? And it aches, too, knowing you must return and remain, to continue the journey.

But what if glory stayed?

At dawn the first light breaks through the darkness. Sleep had wrapped me in her blanket but hope is calling, drawing me out from comfort.

In the brief moment of hesitation I cling to the safety of my bed. Then the light in the room changes from a dim glow to streams of gold piercing through the window. 

I grab my phone as a camera and rush through the door to the porch. Glory light blinds and I blink awake. Billows of rolling morning fog creeps over the lake. The whole earth is a display of God's splendor.

All at once the sound of creation echoes back glory. Ducks flap wings over the surface of the water. Birds warble and chatter among the trees. Even the flowers look like they are lifting their bonnet heads to sing praise.

I am enraptured and can't stop clicking, grabbing pictures with no filter. The rising sun is so brilliant I shield my eyes to aim my camera phone at the images I want to capture, not knowing what will come through. It is only later that I preview the frames and see hallowed moments happening in shutters of splendor. 

This time on earth is like a vapor. All that busts out of the seams of this world pales in the light of His holiness.

I have often tried to imagine what it will be like when the Son of God returns in glory. This weekend on the lake we were given a glimpse. When Christ comes He will shine brighter than the morning sun with fire in his eyes, standing ablaze in robes of heavenly light. 

Morning by morning he reveals his faithfulness to all creation. Can we not see it? Will we not perceive it?

Sing a new song to the Lord!

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!

Sing to the Lord; praise his name.

Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does...

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.

Let all the earth tremble before him...

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!...

Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!

Let the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord for he is coming!

PSALM 96