This blog entry was written by Mandie. I consider Mandie and her family as dear friends and fellow servants of the Lord. They are members of Mount Zion Road Church and most importantly, they are faithful followers of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. I am thankful and blessed that she was willing to allow me to post this entry on my website. Mandie encourages all of us to recognize the covenant relationship we can have with our Savior, Jesus. This relationship is one that we must pursue intentionally and with purpose as we grow in faith. I pray that you find her words to be a blessing as you read. To God be the glory!
In the early hours of the morning I like to go outside and listen for the birds and the cows from the nearby farm. I will close my eyes and just take in the many sounds. I like to imagine that the animals are giving praises and thanks to God for another day, just as we do. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!”[1] One morning as I was reading God’s Word I came across a verse that brought a big smile to my face, for it was as if God met me in the quiet of that morning and gave wisdom to me relating to something I do every morning- listen for His creatures to “speak”. From Revelation 5:13:
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
The context of this verse is right after John is weeping that there was no one found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it and one of the elders said to him, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”[2]
Backing up in verse 11, first many voices of angels are proclaiming in a loud voice the worthiness of the Lamb. Then the animal kingdom joins in! It is breathtaking to me to think of all the creative animals that God has created on this earth and, as this verse points out, in heaven as well. To God be all honor and praise!!
I can remember a time, years ago, when I was not as eager to hear the birds singing their loud songs in the morning. I viewed it as more of a disruption to sleep but now they are welcome sounds that I cannot wait to hear. As you think back through the years of your life, can you think of an example of something that you used to not appreciate as much as you do now? When there are times that God gives a sight or a sound that is out of the ordinary, I am awe inspired and thankful! He just gave me an opportunity to give Him thanks for an unusual sight the other day- while driving, and just minutes from my house, we saw two small huddling and scared raccoon kits and then around the next curve, we saw a fox dash out from one field to the next. An instance of a sound is that last summer, as I was the last to remain around the burning embers of a campfire in the woods, I heard the faint but distinct call of a wild turkey. I remember it giving me much joy to hear that beautiful sound! Most of us do not know what the different sounds animals make mean but as the verse in Revelation 5 points out one day they will be understood to be giving honor and glory to our great God! I am thankful for His gift of creatures!
“Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For He commanded and they were created.
And He established them forever and ever; He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away!
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word!
Mountains and hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for His people,
praise for all His saints, for the people of the Israel who are near to Him.
Praise the Lord![3]
~Mandie
[1] Psalm 118:24
[2] Revelation 5:4-5
[3] Psalm 148:5-14
The photo was taken by my daughter Ali. She has recently completed a degree in media production and is currently working as a photographer. She is a visual story teller with the gift of creativity. Glory to our Lord, Jesus for allowing her to work in a field that encourages creativity. Glory to God for placing us in such a beautiful world, and yet we know that this life is but a shadow of the wonder of His Eternal Kingdom!
Ali’s work can be found on her website:
Corby Shuey 