August '25

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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

If July was the most personal painting of 2025, August was the most challenging.  This painting has 26 rainforest animals in it.  Can you find them all?  Last year I spent a lot of time on animals in my artwork - I studied their shapes and colors.  I was particularly fond of the animals in the rainforest at the time, thus this painting came to life.  As I painted different animals, this hymn kept going through my mind.

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up you voice with us and sing
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him,
O praise Him,
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

It is said that this hymn was originally written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225.  The story goes that one day he came across a flock of birds.  The birds didn't fly away and so St. Francis told them the gospel.  As if in response to hearing the good news of Jesus, the flock flew off rejoicing as they went.  Later, William H Draper translated the hymn to English in 1919. (Morgan)

The hymn is believed to be closely linked to a much older song found in Psalm 148:


Below is a trailer for a documentary series Netflix put out a couple of years ago.  I challenge you to not watch it as a trailer, but rather as a short film displaying some of God's creation.  You might consider reading all of Psalm 148 and then ask the Lord to show you His glory...

Did anything stand out to you?


As Jesus was entering Jerusalem at the beginning of the Holy Week, this interaction happened in Luke 19:

"...if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." -Jesus  
Animals are referenced throughout scripture.  But here, we see Jesus tell the Pharisees that if His disciples were silent the stones would cry out.  Let that sink in for a minute.

Romans 8 speaks of creation longing for Christ to return:


So if you're feeling weary today, take heart.  You are not alone in longing for all things to be made right.  Even God's creation longs to be set free from a world cursed by sin.  Hebrews 10:37 encourages us with these words:

"For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming One will come and will not delay"

 "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 

When the Father says it's time, He will not delay in coming to us.  He is being patient- so that the very last one might come to repentance.

He loves you and He sees whatever you are walking through today.



As a bonus this month, click here to see some of my animal practice!
 

Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul. Thomas Nelson, 16 Aug. 2022.

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