The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.  Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

(Psalm 19:1–3 NIV)

Here are some real questions that have been asked of Park Rangers around the country:

Grand Canyon National Park
• “Was this man-made?”
• “I bought tickets for the elevator to the bottom.  Where is it?”
• “So where are the faces of the presidents?”

Everglades National Park
• “Are the alligators real?”
• “Are the baby alligators for sale?”
• “What time does the two o’clock bus leave?”

Mesa Verde National Park
• “Did people build this, or did Indians?”
• “Why did they build the ruins so close to the road?”
• “Do you know of any undiscovered ruins?”

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• “How much of the cave is underground?”
• “So what’s in the unexplored part of the cave?”
• “Does it ever rain in here?”

People are amazing, aren’t they? All through school my teachers insisted, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question.” But reading through these, you have to wonder if some folks have been working overtime to challenge that idea.  In my opinion, the question that takes the prize is the one asked at the Grand Canyon: “Is it man-made?”

I’ll admit, I’ve asked more than my share of silly questions in life. But never once have I looked at the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains or the grandeur of the Rockies and wondered, “Did people make this?”  I’ve never stood on the shore of the Atlantic or Pacific, watched the waves roll in endlessly, and thought, “Someone built this.” And I’ve never gazed up at the stars and the moon and the planets at night and wondered whether some construction crew put them there.

The beauty of this universe virtually shouts the glory of its Maker. Every sunrise, every mountain peak, every blooming flower, every starlit sky testifies to the creativity, power, and wisdom of God. His fingerprints are everywhere.  That’s why the psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV)

Creation speaks.  And if we take the time to listen, it points us straight to the Creator.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of this world.  It is a beauty far beyond anything human hands could ever form. May we see your glory in all that you have made.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day