Devotions For Outdoorsman: God's Creation Speaks!

Have you ever sat while hunting or fishing and just thought, “no way someone can see this and be in this moment and not believe their is a God.” I have many times. And I wanted to just look at moments where God speaks to us through and about His beautiful creation. In the Bible, numerous passages illustrate the idea of God speaking through nature and the outdoors, emphasizing the divine presence and wisdom inherent in the natural world. One prominent example is found in Psalm 19, where the psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Here, the majesty and beauty of the cosmos are portrayed as a testament to God's creative power and sovereignty, inviting humans to contemplate the divine through the awe-inspiring spectacle of the heavens.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew records Jesus frequently using elements of nature to convey spiritual truths and lessons to his followers. In the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, Jesus instructs his disciples to consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, highlighting God's care and provision for all creatures. Through these natural analogies, Jesus teaches about trust, simplicity, and the importance of seeking God's kingdom above worldly concerns, demonstrating how the rhythms of nature can serve as parables for deeper spiritual realities.

Moreover, throughout the Old Testament, various prophets and patriarchs encounter God in the wilderness, underscoring the significance of the outdoors as a sacred space for divine revelation and encounter. The story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus, for example, portrays God speaking to Moses from a fiery shrub in the wilderness, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. This encounter symbolizes the sanctity of wild places as places where God's presence can be tangibly experienced and where individuals are called to divine purposes.

Additionally, the Bible frequently employs imagery drawn from the natural world to convey theological truths and spiritual concepts. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, uses the metaphor of creation groaning in labor pains to depict the longing and anticipation of all creation for redemption and restoration. This imagery highlights the interconnectedness of humanity with the rest of creation and underscores the idea that God's redemptive work encompasses not only human beings but the entire cosmos.

Furthermore, the Book of Job contains an extended discourse on God's wisdom and power as revealed through the wonders of the natural world. In chapters 38-41, God responds to Job's questions and complaints by challenging him to contemplate the mysteries of creation, from the formation of the earth and sea to the behavior of wild animals. Through this poetic reflection on nature, Job is humbled and reminded of the limitations of human understanding, leading him to acknowledge God's sovereignty and wisdom in all things.

In conclusion, the Bible portrays nature and the outdoors as avenues through which God reveals Himself, communicates His truths, and invites humanity into deeper relationship with Him. Whether through the splendor of the heavens, the simplicity of birds and flowers, or the rugged beauty of the wilderness, God's presence and wisdom are manifest in the natural world, calling forth wonder, reverence, and awe from those who seek Him. As such, engaging with nature becomes not only a means of encountering the divine but also a spiritual practice that fosters gratitude, humility, and stewardship of God's creation.