This is My Father's World is one of those hymns that has stuck with me ever since I was a child. The melody contains a beautiful combination of awe at the nature around the singer, fear of the power of the Lord, and a little somberness at our place in God's creation. Just think about it: we have an entity of unfathomable power that has personally crafted and set into motion an entire universe full of beauty and horrors and yet treasures humanity above all else. All too often, we try to downplay the significance and power of God in order to try and assert power and significance for ourselves. He becomes just another aspect of our lives when he's supposed to be the beginning and the end of everything we are. I have recently gained a new appreciation for the sheer wonder of everything He represents; and through the lyrics of this song, I hope to share it with you today.
This is my Father's World. A simple statement of existence, not of arrogance but of authenticity. Just like how God tells Moses in Exodus that, "I AM THAT I AM." All of creation comes from Him, and without him, there would be nothing just like there was at the beginning of Genesis. By its mere existence, the entire world belongs to Him. So it's our job to take care of it.
The song continues. And to my listening ears, all nature sings and around me rings the music of the spheres.
Psalm 19 talks about how the heavens declare the glory of God and how the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Without a single word, they pour forth speech and reveal knowledge. They speak for themselves and for Him.
In my own case, that knowledge sinks in whenever I witness a sunrise or sunset. The sky becomes a beautiful work of art glimmering with orange and purple. To me, it becomes God's way of greeting the morning and the night for us and for Himself. Who can look at a sight of such beauty worthy of the greatest art gallery and say to themselves that there is no God? Only a fool.
This is my Father's world. I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees of skies and seas, his hand the wonders wrought.
Once again, the song digs deep into details most of us wouldn't bother to think about. Every rock under your feet, every tree you take shelter under, every drop of water that you swim in or drink, they were all painstakingly crafted by God. Sometimes I wonder why He would go into so much detail. As an entity outside of time and space that exists without need, he has no need for a universe. He was there long before humanity was even a concept and will continue to exist if we drive ourselves to extinction. And yet, like an artist on a canvas, a musician in a studio, and a writer on a paper, he formed the world and all of us in it. One can only wonder why, but it just makes me more grateful that He did.
This is my Father's World. The birds their carols raise. The morning light the lily white declare their maker's praise.
As God created everything, that means that every aspect of creation ultimately leads back to him. Every beautiful sound you hear and every color you see says something about his nature. Like trees changing colors with the seasons or the frail beauty found in a spider web. Little works of art that most people overlook speak to His wonder and praise.
This is my Father's World. He shines in all that's fair. In the rustling grass, I hear him pass. He speaks to me everywhere.
Sometimes, I think to myself what it means to walk with God. Genesis describes God as walking in the Garden of Eden when looking for Adam and Eve. Enoch walked with God for over 300 years, and God appreciated it so much that He took Enoch into Heaven without dying. Abraham walked with God, and God gave him a new name and a nation of descendants. David walked with God and became a man after God's own heart. The disciples walked with God and become heralds for generations of change. I've felt God's presence around me from time to time; and on two occasions, I've felt Him talk through me. But my relationship with Him hasn't quite reached the point where I can say that I've walked with Him.
This is my Father's World. O let me ne're forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
There are so many Bible verses that refer to God as a source of comfort for trying times. He values us more than the birds of the air, who neither plant nor harvest, yet He feeds them. He will never leave us no matter how bad things get. He will give us a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs. And in a world ravaged by fear and despair, that's probably one of the most relieving promises to remember. God will take care of you.
This is my Father's World. The Battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied and Earth and Heaven be one.
No matter how much suffering we have to go through, we have a new Heaven and new Earth to look forward to. One with no sin, tears, sickness, or death. That sounds pretty good to me.
This song really goes the extra mile to try and capture what it really means to be a creation of God. His awesome power and his abounding love for us all. The King of the World who loved us enough to die for us, and there is nothing out of his control. For me, that means I don't have to be afraid of what lies ahead, because I know what came before.
Exceptional!