The sound of cicadas is something between a chirp, a song, and an alarm going off, yet it is soothing and mesmerizing. As I sat listening this morning, the thought came to mind: God created those little creatures just like He created me. Why? Could the world not have operated without them? Why did He have them make songs? To communicate with each other? For our joy and comfort? And why that sound? What an intricate world Our Father has created! He cares for every little piece of it, and if He planned and cared for the cicadas, how much more has He planned and will care for us!

It brought to mind a hymn from my preschool days, probably the first hymn I ever learned:

This Is My Father’s World

Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901

Verse 1
This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

Verse 2
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

Verse 3
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Was giv’n to show God’s love.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Verse 4
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav’n be one.

Life can grind away at our faith if we aren’t careful. We must intentionally take time to nourish our souls. Time sitting in nature just listening, away from our technology, is necessary. Do we look for the reflection of God in all of His creation and seek out the lessons we can learn through it? We need to allow ourselves time to disconnect from the world and be reminded of God’s love and power. The evening news will convince us we’ve lost the battle and evil reigns, but time alone with God, in nature, in meditation, in His Word, will remind our hearts that Jesus reigns and the battle is the Lord’s and we must stand firm and see His deliverance and not fret!

Psalm 37:1-8

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Take some time today to step away and listen to the cicadas or the birds or the rain. Read His Word and rest in the comfort of His love. Be still before Him and trust Him.