God uses things that we see in nature to teach spiritual truths. As we walk along a trail or sit beside a campfire Bible verses about the things we see will reveal not only the beauty of creation, but God’s glory and His love for us.
GRASS – All men are like grass.. .the grass withers… but the Word of the Lord stands forever.
1 Peter 1:24-25 “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field, the wind blows
over it and it is gone and forgotten. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments. ” Psalm 103:15-18
In the montane zone, the lowest elevations in the park, between 7,600 and 9,000 feet, there are natural meadow communities referred to as “parks”. These areas are “dominated by needle and tread grass, mountain muhly, June grass, and blue grama,. Other common meadow grass species include hair grass, redtop and reflexed bluegrass. In formerly cultivated areas, you may find timothy, smooth brome, or Kentucky bluegeass..”
The Lord covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the green grass grow in mountain pastures. Psalm 147:8 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. Psalm 23:1-2
FLOWERS – And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So do not worry saying “What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt. 6:28-34
TREES – O the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about His law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do they will prosper. Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they go right on producing delicious fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8. (There are 900 plant species in Rocky Mountain Park.)
SKY/ STARS The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place – what are mortals that you think of us, mere humans thatyou should care for us. O Lord our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth. Psalm 8:3-4,9
FIRE – Each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
BIRDS – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they? Matthew 6:26-27
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father… So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even young people grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty… He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:1,4
DEER – The sovereign Lord is my strength. He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. Habakkuk 3:19
ROCKS – I love you O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:1-2 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3 Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. Psalm 95:1-7
STONE – I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (pliable, teachable heart). And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:25-27
WATER – Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternallife. John 4:13-14 On the last and greatest day of the Feast Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37-38
SNOW – I was bora a sinner…Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow… Give me back my joy again… Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me… Restore to me again the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you. Psalm 51:5-12 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18
SHEEP – Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker; for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock (sheep) under His care. Psalm 95:6-7 We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life. John 10:11, 27
CONCLUDING WORDS OF PRAISE FOR CREATION:
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see ad the things we can’t see… Everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began and He holds all creation together. Colossians 1:16-17
Praise the Lord! Praise he Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the mountains, praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all stars of light! Praise Him highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.
Praise the Lord from the earth, fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and all hills; fruit trees and all cedars; wild animals and cattle; creeping things and birds; kings of the earth and all peoples; young men and women; old men and children. Let us praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. From Psalm 148
Objects in Nature © Sue Found 1995
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