Psalm 19:3-4 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

The Japanese uses a translation of verse 3 that is given as a footnote in the NIV: “They have no speech, there are no words; no sound is heard from them,” but then it starts verse 4 with “However.” That makes a lot of sense to me, because the physical sounds of the universe, though real, do not transmit over the vacuum of space in any way that can be perceived as sound. That said, the message that there is indeed a Creator of the Universe, who is due all our allegiance, honor and praise, does indeed transmit to every person with the sense to perceive it. This is what Paul was talking about in Romans 1:20 when he said that God has made Himself known to everyone. Without specific revelation, human response to God generally descends to superstition. Those who wish to deny the existence of God often use such superstitions to back their case, pointing out their absurdity. However, God chose Abram, whom He renamed Abraham, and his physical descendants to reveal Himself to in more detail, so that mankind could be liberated from superstition and brought to the fellowship of obedience. Then, as it says in Hebrews 1:1-2, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.” I’ve seen a refrigerator magnet that says, “Happiness is seeing a beautiful sunset and knowing whom to thank.” A materialist would scoff at that, and talk about water vapor and dust and refraction and the like, but such a focus leads to immense poverty of the soul. God created a truly spectacular universe for us to enjoy, and our appreciation of it is only amplified and multiplied when we recognize the Source and give Him the thanks, praise, and obedience He is due.

I have always delighted in the physical universe, to the point that my high school biology teacher was sure I’d become an entomologist, and I started college as a chemistry major. I think that’s a major part of my love of photography, because I delight to capture the beauties of the world around me. However, it has saddened me to encounter so many people who use the physical sciences as an excuse to ignore the meaning behind them, the God who created it all. They display a willful blindness, because they are afraid of the accountability that logically comes from our being created beings. I have found, through painful experience, that I cannot convince them by my words, but I can pray for them and demonstrate God’s love to them, so that they may receive His words into their heart. When that happens, it is truly moving to see the transformation that results.

Father, You know the people who came to mind as I wrote that. You also know how to get through to those who are still stubborn, and I don’t. I do pray that You would open the eyes and ears of their hearts to perceive You and Your love for them, so that they may respond in repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!