It was one of those evenings. The breeze carried with it a crisp deliciousness. The moon shone with a silver glow and bathed the yard in dappled shadows. Here and there a bold star pierced the sky. Yes – one of those evenings when I hesitate to go inside because I don’t want to miss it!
Martha Joy had some late chores. After she was done, she and I followed the moonlight until we had a better view beyond the huge oak tree. There we lingered, talking in low tones about upcoming events in the way sisters do, while we savored the moment.
Amidst our hushed chatter, I suddenly, quietly, became aware of the crickets. How many thousands of them were there in that pulsing chorus? They had been there the whole time, yet they were such a part of the evening I hadn’t even noticed. Their song was steady and lulling, with a comforting rhythm. Unique notes and trills could be heard among the throng by careful listening, but all blended perfectly.
My mind went to the heavenly scenes of praise recorded in Revelation 4:8-11 –
“The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!”
When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”
Standing there, in that beautiful evening, I considered how this cricket song, created by the same great God in heaven, might bear a small resemblance to these glorious heavenly praises…offered without any hint of cumbersome repetition, but with life coursing through each syllable, drawing all who hear to listen closer and then join in the glad chorus!
But that’s just one of many rhythms in the world around us. It can be so easily taken for granted, but we are simply surrounded with awesome, pulsing, order.
There’s the wind whispering through the trees, the seasons rippling on in perfect cadence, water trickling along in a stream, the song of birds filling the air with sweetness, the deep breathing of a sleeping child, heartbeats pumping the rhythm of our very life. How often I am unaware of the praise being offered all around me! Each one of these things, even when unnoticed or unobserved, continue on declaring the glory of the One who has made us and who sustains us.
I don’t yet hear the heavenly anthem described in Revelation, but what a thrill to hear those crickets and feel my beating heart – and be pointed to Him Who is worthy of all praise! Won’t you join me in praising Him?
“By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.“
(Hebrews 13:15)
I’d love to know… What is your favorite praise song? Have you noticed how uplifting it is to praise the Lord? In what way do crickets inspire you?
Because of Jesus,
Maggie ♥
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