This is My Father’s World
Friday, May 15, 2020 by Melissa McLaughlin

With each passing week it seems my heart sinks a little lower as I witness evil on every side, in ways large and small, near and far, both within and without.

On a recent walk at a nearby park, as the heaviness pressed in on me, I cried out for my heavenly Father to fill me with His peace.

Not all at once, but little by little, step by step, breath by breath, the Holy Spirit turned my eyes to the touch of our Creator all around. The Living God, in all His majesty, beauty, grandeur, tenderness, joy and holiness on full display in His Creation.

As my feet continued along, another gift from the Lord was the final verse of an old hymn that floated through my mind and then echoed over and over again like a favorite recording set on repeat. I couldn’t remember the whole song, only bits and pieces.

This is my Father’s world…

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere…

Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

From the delicate symmetry of the flowers, to the mighty strength of the tree trunk reaching high, to the peaceful lapping of the lake at the water’s edge, to the turtles cheerily sunning themselves on the rocks, to the song of the birds at full volume. The Holy Spirit reminded me again and again, this world is the work of God’s hand.

Every single detail of this magnificent creation is His. The Most High God was our beginning and He will be our end. And for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we are assured a place in heaven. So for us, the best is yet to come! In the time being, His indwelling Spirit is with us until the day we breathe our last or He comes to take us home.

In God’s Word, we are taught and prepared that followers of Jesus will face trials. May we be found faithful! The hard times are the proving ground of our faith. We are struck down but not destroyed.

So hold on tight to Him, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Though earthly rulers and kingdoms rise and fall, God is the Ruler yet!

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I invite you to pause and take a walk with me through my photos below. May God refresh your vision as He did mine that day. How He gently but firmly reminded me that He is still God. As you “walk” with me, I pray you enjoy all the lyrics to this beautiful, powerful hymn of faith, as well.

This is My Father’s World by Maltbie D. Babcock

This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

Sung here on the album 60 Classic Hymns – Mike Curb Congregation

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Malachi 3:6a – For I am the Lord, I change not.

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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