Elihu concludes his speech with a chapter that proclaims the majesty and glory of God in a wonderful and beautiful way.
” ‘Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. For to the snow he says, “Fall on the earth,” likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning.’ ” (v2-3,6,9-11)
I realize that most of us are not poets (myself included) but Elihu has some poetic charm in his words. He describes the majesty of God through a number of examples from creation. I agree, that when we simply be still and study creation, there is infinite beauty to behold, and that beauty is a reflection of our Creator.
This thought really caught my attention: “They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.” (v12-13) As Elihu describes the clouds, he wonders why God commands them the way He does. Have we ever simply reveled in God’s creation, pondering it at length, even if it’s something “simple” like weather patterns?
Scripture is clear that all of creation, people included, are created for the glory of God. ” ‘For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you… Fear not, for I am with you… everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’ ” (Isa 43:3-7 abr) “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made.” (Rom 1:19-20a)
My encouragement for today is to simply glorify God. That’s it. Bring Him glory. We can do this many different ways, and my way(s) will look different from yours. The point is, to glorify Him – out loud, silently in your heart, through an action, through a word or song, through a work of art, through a prayer, or all of the above, or none of the above. How you bring glory to God can be as unique as you are – God created us for His glory, so let’s bring Him glory and praise His majesty like Elihu did in this chapter.
Father God, our Majestic and Magnificent Creator, holy, holy, holy is Your name. Your glory is spread throughout the heavens, the stars sing Your praises. The birds worship You every morning, and the wolves call Your name by night. The thunder and lightning testify to Your power, and the mountains speak of Your greatness. May we learn to simply sit in wonderment at Your feet, and revel in the majesty of Your presence. O holy God we praise and thank You, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In the awesome and redeeming name of Jesus we praise You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training