For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

It wasn't so long ago that I had the opportunity to eat dinner overlooking the Grand Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho. The view, as well as my hosts from that town, were spectacular.

Since that time I've been thinking about that great valley, which I saw in the growing twilight. Those thoughts are something I would like to share with you.

During the course of my life I have had the opportunity to drive through and admire a great many spectacular mountain ranges like the Rockies and the Alps. I have stood before great depressions in the earth like the Grand Canyon. I have stopped in Monument Valley and at Devil's Tower. At every place I was told how these natural and amazing wonders of the world have been brought about by wind and water and time. (Depending on the person doing the explaining, the Lord was also mentioned.)

But there is a difference between these places and Mount Rushmore.

You see, I am well acquainted with Mount Rushmore. When I became a minister, my first congregation was just a few miles from Mount Rushmore. That year, every relative, friend and classmate passing through South Dakota stopped and was escorted to Mount Rushmore. By count, that year Pam and I went to Rushmore no less than 42 times.

In all the times we went to Rushmore, nobody ever said, "This monument was carved by water, wind and time." To say such a thing would be ludicrous. Why? Because Rushmore's orderliness calls for someone to have done the carving and the "creation."

Orderliness: that's an important word.

Take a look at a healthy baby, and you will see orderliness. That child will grow and learn in an orderly way. The doctor will diagnose that child's illnesses by observing the things which are "out of order." Eventually, someday, that orderliness will break down to the extent that the individual will die.

Orderliness: it's an important concept.

Looking at each other we cannot say, "We just happened." If the comparatively uncomplex Mount Rushmore called for a carver such as Gutzon Borglum, then how much more so do the totally complex parts of the universe call for a Creator?

That Creator is the Triune God. He has made us, saved us, keeps us, and will take care of us for eternity. How do I know? In Scripture He has told me so and, along with being orderly, He is also truthful and eternally caring.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, open my eyes so I may see Your handiwork, which is all around me. For being there in my life from before I was born until long after I leave this world, I give thanks. May I reflect Your care through Jesus who is my Savior and in whose Name this prayer is offered. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Joshua 1-3    Luke 9:1-17

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