Glorious, Wondrous, & Awesome
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
(Psalm 145:5-6)
—
We are magnetized to
wonder.
We are drawn to
glorious things.
We love to be left
in slack-jawed,
weak-kneed,
heart-pounding
awe.
The fearsome
storm,
the stunning
sunset,
the delicate
flower,
the muscular
kangaroo,
the snow-blanketed
forest,
the sweet babble of an
infant,
the spotted hide of
the leopard,
the soft kiss of a
loved one,
the rejuvenating beauty of
sleep
bring us to wonder and
gratitude.
Creation’s multi-hued
wonders
were not meant to be
the focus of our
awe
but to stimulate
a deeper
more glorious
more life-shaping
wonder.
Creation is an
arrow,
pointing to the
Awesome One
who created every
awesome thing that
stops us,
grabbing our
eyes
stopping our
hearts
again and again.
Every physical
wonder
has been designed to
draw our hearts to
him,
since God alone
is able to satisfy our
wonder-hungry
hearts.
Physical glory
is not just physical,
but spiritual as well,
created to draw us to the
God of Glory,
by whom we were
made
and for whom we were
made.
So, be thankful for
gorgeous flowers
golden sunsets
drenching rainstorms
gliding eagles
wheat-swept fields
warming fires
stately trees
towering mountains
and cascading waterfalls.
They are there
because God loves
you
and wants to be
known,
so that in knowing
him
your search for
satisfaction
wholeness
peace
rest and
joy
would forever end.
—
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
(Psalm 96)
A Prayer for Today: Lord, would you alone satisfy my wonder-hungry heart? I admit that I search for peace and satisfaction in created things all the time. Would you redirect my heart toward you, the only source of satisfaction, wholeness, peace, rest, and joy? I need you more than I need anyone or anything else, so may I be mindful of the fact that you, the supplier of all good things, are true satisfaction, and that the supplies, while good, will never truly satisfy my hungry heart. May I long for you first, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God bless,
Paul Tripp
Discussion Prompt for Children
• Why do you think the Bible says that God is better than any good thing in this world? If that’s true, why is it so hard to believe that and live as if God is better than anything or anyone?
• Why are the good things of this world just arrows that point to the one who supplied the good things for us?
Reflection Questions
1. What are the things in this world that capture your attention and heart in a way that brings you to awe? Have you ever taken the time to evaluate how those good things you love point to the Creator of all good things? Take a moment and thank God for the wonderful things you appreciate and ask him to help you see that those good things point to the Giver himself. Ask him to help your heart be continually drawn to him when you love and appreciate the gifts he supplies.
2. If a Christian says that God is better than anyone or anything in this world, why do you think it’s so difficult to functionally live that way from day to day? How has it been difficult for you specifically?
3. As you notice the gap between where you are currently focusing your awe and where your awe should be focused, what practical steps can you take each day to close that gap? Who are the people around you that draw your attention to the Creator more so than the creation?
4. In what ways are you acting as an arrow that points to God in the lives of others around you in your personal circle of influence? If you are not currently acting as an arrow who points others to the Creator, how can you change in ways that usher people toward him? Pray that God would use you to magnify himself and stimulate in others a deeper, more glorious wonder focused on him.