The work of an almighty hand

The Spacious Firmament on high,
With all the blue Ethereal Sky,
And spangled Heav’ns, a Shining Frame,
Their great Original proclaim:
Th’ unwearied Sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s Pow’r display,
And publishes to every Land
The Work of an Almighty Hand.

This is the first verse of a poem by Joseph Addison 1672-1719), simply entitled “Ode.” He was an English statesman, and also a successful playwright and poet. These words capture so well the awe and wonder we feel when we see the works of our creator God. Invisible though they are, God’s power and nature, “have been understood and seen through the things he has made.” (Romans 1:20).

So many of us pray that friends and loved ones will come to God, and will come to accept the grace he so willingly offers to all. We wonder why it is that not everyone hears God’s call. Why are we the ones that have responded, when the ones so close to us, are blind and deaf to our Lord? We hope that their ears will be open to the Gospel and that their inner self will listen to the still small voice that whispers to them.

Perhaps a solution is that we pray for them in a different way. Maybe we should pray that their ears will be open to the greatest preacher of all, God’s own creation. Let us beseech our Lord that they hear the voice of his marvelous works.

The final verse of Joseph Addison’s Ode includes a beautiful line that tells us that the stars in the heavens declare the mighty presence of their Creator. It’s as though they are calling out to all of us here on earth to look at them and wonder, to see the power and majesty of the One who brought them into being.

“in reason’s ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice, for ever singing as they shine, the hand that made us is divine.”