Song of the Stars

by Maureen Miller

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

(Psalm 19:1-4, NIV).

 

Writers communicate through the written word, hoping to touch the world. We’re encouraged to find our voice, discouraged from trying to sound like another. As Christian communicators, we desire to listen to God’s voice above all. We seek hearing from him in his word, all the while striving to be like The Word—to live and love like Jesus.

The other morning, I listened to my audio Bible as I drove. The narrator’s voice, deep and robust, filled the space in my vehicle.

“Psalm 19—For the director of music. A psalm of David …” he began.

Though I’ve read this passage before, the words written all those years ago by the Shepherd Boy-Turned-Musician for the King struck a chord in a fresh way.

The sun and stars seemed to sing directly to my writer’s heart—not only declaring God’s glory but also guiding me in my mission to convey his messages.

Verses in the middle of David’s melody rang most true. This passage applies to those who desire to write God’s words as we seek him regarding the plethora of opportunities that lay before us, asking him, “What’s on your heart, Father, and how can I be your herald?”

Because, at the center of this Psalm (vv. 7-9), we hear our best source for material resonates in the lyrics of the Lord’s law, in his statutes, precepts, and commands. Though we may fear speaking truth in love and quake when we consider how our words could stir strife among those who disagree, we can rest knowing that offering messages steeped in these will undoubtedly revive the soul, make wise the simple, give joy to the heart and light to the eyes.

Indeed, … the ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous” (Ps. 19:9b, NIV).

As Christian writers, what more could we want? And what must we do? Begin by looking up and hearing the song of the stars.

 

O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer, please help the words I write and the meditations on my heart be pleasing to you. Amen.

 

Maureen Miller lives on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her family raise a variety of animals, vegetables, and flowers. She asks daily to have eyes and ears wide open that she might experience the wonders of God’s Word and His created world, and she blogs regularly about such at www.penningpansies.com.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.