WISDOM OF THE WORD
Have you gazed at the sky recently and found yourself still in awe of it? Even if you’ve seen it countless of times in your life, you probably still stop occasionally to give it a second glance…in amazement.
This boundless expanse of celestial wonder truly captivates in all its moods. From the foreboding gray whirlwinds, and fearsome but dazzling electrical storms, to the magnificent plays of fiery hues during sunrises and sunsets, and even the normal days where it displays a thousand shades of blue––there is nothing like the sky that God made.
The sky’s sheer beauty fascinates forever. Even all that is in it showcases the perfection of divine artistry. The hypnotic clouds that constantly morph with fluidity and effervescence. The perennial paths of the luminaries––the sun, moon, and the stars––in their diurnal dance, and their journeys through the seasons. The rainbow with its gleaming colors. And the numerous birds flying freely in it, and have made it their estate. We are all privileged to have the sky.
Created by God
The sky, adorned with its ever-changing palette of colors and hues, is a masterpiece painted by the hand of God. It stretches above us in shades of azure and turquoise, a vibrant canvas that transitions from the soft pastels of dawn to the fiery brilliance of sunset. It evokes a sense of wonder each day, inviting us to contemplate the Creator's art.
The Book of Genesis, at the very beginning of the Bible, reminds us who made the sky.
“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven.”
––Genesis 1:6-8
These powerful words of the Almighty produced the sky above us which we now marvel at. For truly, it is marvelous beyond aesthetics. Like all things God created, the sky has a purpose that is perfectly aligned with His Divine Will.
The Realm of the Air
According to the Bible, the sky is held by the “firmament”, a heavenly canopy that envelopes the world. The firmament is supposedly both a physical and a spiritual boundary, demarcating the earthly realm from the heavenly realm, ‘the waters above from the waters below’ creating a vast space in between.
God’s creation of the sky shows us how He has woven order and purpose in all that He made. When He made the sky, He made the kingdom of the air, a vast expanse that stretches as far as the eye can see and beyond, knowing how life on earth and the earth itself will depend on it.
The sky contains a blend of gases, approximately 21% of which is oxygen, a vital element to sustain life. In God's infinite wisdom, this ratio is precisely calibrated to support all life in the world.
Look Up
God actually commands us to turn our eyes heavenward, from time to time, not only to marvel at its grandeur but to seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual truths it conveys.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.”––Psalm 19:1
”Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?”––Isaiah 40:2
Purported thinkers who have contemplated the sky’s beauty and purpose couldn’t help but exclaim its glory.
"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.”––Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.”––Leonardo da Vinci
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”―John Lubbock
“In the sky, there are always answers and explanations for everything: every pain, every suffering, joy, and confusion.”
―Ishmael Beah
“The sky is love's muse.”––Walter Mercado
The sky is just one of the countless marvels that give testimony to God’s omnipotent power and wisdom. Whenever we stand in awe of the sky, we are in awe of the mighty hand that formed the firmament, divided the waters, and painted the sky with hues beyond our imagination. The Creator fashioned it as He did everything else, including us.
Let the sky remind us that our God is not a distant or obdurate deity; He is intimately involved in His creation, and His power and majesty shine through every corner of heaven and earth. “Heaven is my throne”, He said, “and earth is my footstool.”
