Praise him – Day 1
Praise for a new season
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
UmShumayeli 3
Konke kunesikhathi sakho
UmShumayeli 3
The season heralds new life. Green, white and pink buds gracefully crown bare winter trees until one day, like barefoot brides on the breeze of the wind, they shamelessly vaunt their new array of leaves and blossoms. The air suddenly smells different – it is bluer and purer. It is the month of October.
October – the most beautiful month of all!
In our jam-packed life, it is sometimes necessary to be intentionally appreciative of the creation surrounding us. Nature is, after all, the one indisputable reality that draws attention to the “manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10).
David was able to do this and therefore sang about God’s self-revelation in nature: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other …” (Psalm 19:1,4-6).
At the sight of the grandeur of nature and creation, one is left speechless. You become painfully aware of your own insignificance and mortality, and you know God is the Creator and Provider of all … also of you! Then you will want to join the psalmist in singing the song of creation (Psalm 104:1,10-11,14,19,24):
“Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty.
He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth:
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”
If you are wondering today if a new season will ever dawn in your life, you can only look at God’s involvement in his creation to know for certain – you are the crown of his creation and just a little lower than the heavenly beings. Therefore, your new day and flowering season will also arrive.
