The hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” was written in 1864 by 29 year old Folliott Pierpoint who was mesmerized by the beauty of the countryside.
“For the beauty of the earth, for the Glory of the skies. For His love which from our birth, over and around us lies. Lord of all to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.”
Whenever I ride through an area of profound beauty, that song comes to my heart and out my mouth. Recently I began singing it as I rode through the countryside in Rhode Island on a visit for my mother’s 94th birthday. The past several years all we have heard about is “Global Cooling”, then “Global Warming”, then finally delegated to “Climate Change”. Honestly I don’t think very much about it because I know who created the earth and who it belongs to! “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Ex 9:29
“The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine: as for the world and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them.” Psalm 89:11 And, I know what is going to happen to it!
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35 And then, the Lord even tells us what is going to happen to that!
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isaiah 65:11 I love God’s creation! He makes everything so beautiful! I love green grassy meadows and beautiful, bountiful crops growing in long rows in fields (one of the things that mankind has done to utilize God’s creation). I love cool clear streams, and rivers, and vast, massive oceans. I love the gorgeous blue sky with its white billowy clouds! I love the rain – be it soft and gentle, or pounding down sideways by the winds. I love the beauty of snow and the white blanket that covers the earth. I love the beautiful tress – all kinds of trees! I love their autumn colors and then I love how the evergreens stay ever green! It upsets me when I see beautiful farm land turn into housing plots. BUT, I do not worship the earth. I worship the Lord God who made the earth. I think about those who so much push the “Climate Change” agenda. To me they are filled with fear. Fear of “What will happen to me if the earth fails?” To us Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we know that we are safely in His hands. He said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” so what is there to fear? Am I advocating that we trash our beautiful earth? No not at all, but I do know that the Lord gave us this earth to help sustain us while we are on it. He gave us the oil, coal, gas, water, minerals, etc. to help us. For people to prohibit their use, is a slap in the face of God. He has provided and some have refused His provision. Bottom line is to take care of the earth, don’t worship it. Worship God the Creator of the earth. Use what He has provided us with to sustain us, get rid of the fear, and keep our hands to the plow of reaching the lost in this earth for His glory. Be thankful! Be grateful for what He has provided! Be good stewards of it!