“Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3

“Mom, look!” my oldest exclaimed, looking out the car window.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Look at the sun, it’s moving and coming with us!”

The clouds were quickly covering the foggy sun and then briefly exposing it before covering it again. It was beautiful to watch, even for the short second I could turn my head.

Nature is so captivating. Every year my kids and I watch the leaves grow and die, the fields fill with hay and wild flowers and then turn into an empty expanse. We take note of the birds and squirrels - the regulars and the newbies that take up residence in our yard. We watch the tides rush in and flow out, and the mountain trails become lined with foliage or piles of snowflakes.

In every season, it seems as though Creation groans. Things are broken, a result of a fallen world. It makes me wonder what all of this would’ve looked like in Eden. Someday, we will know.

Despite the brokenness, nature exalts our King. Trees stretch high toward Heaven, birds make music that He hears, the rushing waters and delicate flowers show the care of their Creator. He could have left this world blank but He filled it with beauty, and it glorifies Him.

Many a man will refuse to praise Him. Man, who is made in His image. But Creation still magnifies our Lord and tells of His glory. We can see firsthand, if we are looking, that He is very present and involved. What an encouragement to see that even when men fail to give Him praise, nature around us still shouts His Name!

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

I highly recommend this song from Seeds Family Worship. They sing through the first five verses, and it is a fun and effective way to memorize this passage with your kids!