Genesis 2 vv 1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. On the sixth day God brought to an end all the work he had been doing: on the seventh day, having finished all his work, God blessed the day and made it holy, because it was the day he finished all is work of creation.

I’ve just got back from a walk round the Highwoods country park. Until last Sunday I had no idea that such a lovely community space was there, and have been taken back by the size of it. As I was walking a couple of hymns came to mind which reminded me of the wonder of Gods creation. As I walked I couldn’t help thinking of Stuart Hine’s words - When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. I also found myself singing Joseph Addison’s words (I know some of you know how much I love his hymns!) from his paraphrase of Psalm 23, the words of his hymns I think are almost as wonderful and creation itself! The beautiful language talks of - When in the saltry glebe I faint, or on a thirsty mountain pant, to fertile vales and dewy meads my weary wandering steps he leads, when peaceful rivers, soft and slow amid the verdant landscape flow.

I walked through the fields and woodland (the bluebells in the woods were gorgeous) until I came to the lake and in the glorious sunshine enjoyed all that was around.

I continued to walk and thought of - 

Thy bounty shall my pains beguile; the barren wilderness shall smile with sudden greens and herbage crowned, and streams shall murmur all around.

How absolutely wonderful creation is I thought to myself. Addison himself said “the supreme being has made the best arguments for his existence in the formation of the heavens and the earth, and these are arguments which a man of sense cannot forebear attending to who is out of the noise and hurry of human affairs”

Creation is like God himself, totally incomprehensible, to much for our little minds to take in.

In these difficult times it might be easy to forget how wonderful the world is. But we should remember that all that is bad in the world is usually man made and that good always overcomes bad. Brighter days will come again, when we can enjoy God’s marvellous creation to its full once again.

The Lord my pasture shall prepare, 
and feed me with a shepherd's care;
His presence shall my wants supply,
and guard me with a watchful eye;
my noonday walks He shall attend,
and all my midnight hours defend.   

When in the sultry glebe I faint,
or on the thirsty mountain pant,
to fertile vales and dewy meads
my weary wandering steps He leads,
where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
amid the verdant landscape flow.  

Though in a bare and rugged way
through devious lonely wilds I stray,
Thy bounty shall my pains beguile;
the barren wilderness shall smile
with sudden greens and herbage crowned,
and streams shall murmur all around.  

Though in the paths of death I tread,
with gloomy horrors overspread,
my steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
for Thou, 0 Lord, art with me still:
Thy friendly staff shall give me aid,
and guide me through the dreadful shade.

A prayer 

We thank you, Lord, for the beauty and diversity of the world which you have made to be the home and mother of humankind. We thank you for making its hospitality endless in interest, loveliness, diversity and utility. Teach us by your creation to know more of you our creator, and rejoicing in you, to be as generous to others as you are to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen