Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future in their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Once again, we come to a hymn that is numbered among my Top Ten favorites. “For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies.” Wherever you go on terra firma, you can find beauty … cacti in bloom in arid deserts, redwood and sequoia trees, whose tops reach heavenward, pristine and serene lakes that mirror on their surface what is at lakeside and above, butterflies and hummingbirds dancing their way through blossoms harboring nectar, bison grazing in grasslands while a bald eagle soars the blue skies above, stars scattered on a midnight blue sky while a full moon offers soft glow, and the elusive and transient beauty of the rainbow.

“For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight.” Imagine for a moment what it would be like never to have heard or to have seen. Without the sense of hearing, you could not hear your name called, you could not hear the thundering sound of Niagara Falls, you could not hear the many voices of a mockingbird, you could not hear yourself singing or whistling, and you could not hear the soft strains of a lullaby. Without the gift of sight, everything would be dark. You could not see colors. You could not see your parents, your brothers and sisters, and your pets. Without the gift of sight how could you appreciate art unless it was textured in some way or be able to protect yourself when you could not read instructions or warnings. Truly we should offer a hymn of grateful praise when we are blessed with these two precious gifts of sight and hearing.

For thyself, best gift divine, to the world so freely given; for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven. Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

Prayer

O Lord hear our prayers of thanks for the miraculous things that often can be done to restore or bestow the gifts of hearing and sight. Help us to appreciate these precious gifts daily. We thank You for the love we know within our families and grateful for our friends. Most of all, we give You thanks for Your Son Jesus, our Savior and Lord. In His name, we pray. Amen.