Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Maltbie Babcock pastored in upstate New York for a number of years before being called to a church in New York City. A gifted athlete and avid runner, Babcock greatly enjoyed long walks and runs through nature, but in the city he lacked those opportunities. His church sent him on a trip to the Holy Land, but on the return voyage Babcock contracted brucellosis and died at just forty-three years of age. After his death, his wife collected a number of his poems and published them. Several were set to music and some of them are still sung today, including this one:
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening 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.
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.
The great God we worship and serve is the Creator and sustainer of everything. He alone is worthy of praise and glory and honor. He is the King, and all must bow before Him. Rather than allowing ourselves to be discouraged or downcast by the troubles of life, we can live in worship and joy before our loving Father.
