30th March 2020. Daily Devotion.

Good morning everyone,

Here is the second part of our thoughts on nature to keep our faith and spirits high as we meditate on the wonder of how God has created us and all that is, for his praise and glory and our blessing.

All Creatures of Our God and King: A Hymn by Saint Francis

Saint Francis of Assisi was a little man who lived in a little town in the Italian countryside in the 13th Century, but he quickly became famous as a little Christ. He lived out for us the pattern of a life of Christ. He loved God, God’s Word, people, animals, and all of creation.

“Song, music, and poetry were so deeply a part of the nature of Saint Francis that in times of sorrow and sickness as well as of joy and good health he spontaneously gave voice in song to his feelings, his inspirations, and his prayers.” (Francis and Clare: The Complete Works, p. 37, published by Paulist Press, © 1982)

Saint Francis’ canticle (or hymn) “All Creatures of Our God and King.” draws us to contemplate God’s beauty in creation and to take good care of all animals and all living things as our brothers and sisters.

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain:

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

(By Saint Francis of Assisi in 1225. Paraphrased by William H. Draper in 1901.)

Being Sisters and Brothers of Nature: A Meditation by Henri Nouwen

Like St Francis before him, Henri Nouwen inspires us to take up our calling as stewards of God’s creation and to appreciate that all the animals and all created things are part of God’s beloved family with us. God is the Father of all living things and we are all siblings. Here is Henri Nouwen’s meditation:

“When we think of oceans and mountains, forests and deserts, trees, plants and animals, the sun, the moon, the stars, and all the galaxies, as God’s creation, waiting eagerly to be “brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God” (Roman 8:21), we can only stand in awe of God’s majesty and God’s all-embracing plan of salvation. It is not just we, human beings, who wait for salvation in the midst of our suffering; all of creation groans and moans with us longing to reach its full freedom.

“In this way we are indeed brothers and sisters not only of all other men and women in the world but also of all that surrounds us. Yes, we have to love the fields full of wheat, the snow-capped mountains, the roaring seas, the wild and tame animals, the huge redwoods, and the little daisies. Everything in creation belongs, with us, to the large family of God.”

The Earth is Full of the Lord’s Unfailing Love

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:5)

The Maker of the Mountains is Our Helper

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

The Lord Created us Wonderfully in Body and Soul

“For you [Lord] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

The Lord Gives Water to the Wild Animals in the Desert and to Us

“This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer… The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.” (Isaiah 43:14, 20, NLT)

God is Clearly Revealed in Creation

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

God intends to bring Freedom and Glory to All His Creation through Us

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21)

All People, Animals, and Fish Will Praise God and Christ

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13)

Prayers

Please pray for Iran and its people who are suffering large numbers of fatalities and are being denied medical and humanitarian aid because of sanctions. Pray also for France and Germany as they too battle to save their citizens. Claim peace and calm safety and health for yourself and all whom you love.

Jesus, I know that when you walked on the earth, you trod upon hard places, you felt the strain of this world and the pressures of mental torment. So I ask that you would come besides me now, lead me through this time where my mind cannot cope. Help me to find peace and calming inner thoughts. You hold me safe Lord, I trust in you. Amen.