Look to the Skies

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Look to the Skies, was written by Patricia Rabin. Alex Smalley wants everyone to wake up earlier, or perhaps pause more at day's end.

Why? To gaze at sunrises and sunsets. Those fleeting moments are the most beautiful, awe-inspiring times of the day, according to Smalley, the lead researcher of a British study on awe-inducing weather effects.

Even more than blue skies or glittering nightscapes, a stunning sunrise or sunset can improve mood, increase positive emotions, and decrease stress. Smalley says when you see something vast and overwhelming or something that produces this feeling of awe, your own problems can feel diminished, and so you don't worry so much about them. His findings on wonder echo those of the prophet Jeremiah. Ah, sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you. King David also beheld God's creation, declaring in Psalm 19, The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they reveal knowledge. As for the sun, it rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other.

Nothing is deprived of its warmth. God's glorious creation reflects the all-powerful creator. Why not take time today to look to the skies and marvel in Him? Join me as I read today's scripture reading from Psalm 19 verses 1 through 9. The heavens declare the glory of God.

The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech. They use no words.

No sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens, God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other. Nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm and all of them are righteous. Let's pray. O Heavenly Father, help us to take a moment every day to look up to the heavens in awe and wonder and consider Your greatness and power. As we are filled with wonder at the vastness of the universe, remind us that no matter how big our troubles, they are never too big for You. Thank You, Father. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Joyce Dinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.