All of creation reflects the beauty of God.

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12

Desert Solitaire is Edward Abbey’s personal history of his summers as a park ranger in what is now called Arches National Park in Utah. The book is worth reading if only for Abbey’s bright language and vivid descriptions of the US Southwest.

But Abbey, for all his artistry, was an atheist who could see nothing beyond the surface of the beauty he enjoyed. How sad! He lived his entire life in praise of beauty and missed the point of it all.

Most ancient peoples had theories of origins enshrouded in legend, myth, and song. But Israel’s story of creation was unique: It told of a God who created beauty for our enjoyment and childlike delight. God thought up the cosmos, spoke it into being and pronounced it “beautiful.” (The Hebrew word for good also signifies beauty.) Then, having created a paradise, God in love spoke us into being, placed us in Eden, and told us, “Enjoy!”

Some see and enjoy the beauty of the Creator’s good gifts all around them, but don’t “worship him as God or even give him thanks.” They “think up foolish ideas of what God [is] like. As a result, their minds become dark and confused”  (Rom. 1:21 ).

Others see beauty, say “Thank You, God,” and step into His light.

Loving Father, we praise You because You are good. Thank You for infusing Your creation with beauty and purpose and for placing us here to enjoy it as we discover You. Your love endures forever!

一切受造之物反映上帝的荣美。

上帝看着是好的。-创世记1章12节

爱德华·艾比（Edward Abbey）曾担任犹他州拱门国家公园的管理员，他将那几年的经历写成《旷野旅人》一书。艾比对于美国西南方栩栩描摹的巧语，让这本书值得一读。

可惜艾比虽能妙笔生花，却是个无神论者。除了眼见的美景，他无法体会其他的意义。多么令人惋惜啊！他的一生都在赞扬受造物之美，却完全错失了重点。

自古人们总以传奇故事、神话和歌曲来阐述世界的起源，而以色列人传讲创造的起源却很独特。他们叙述一位上帝创造美丽的世界，使我们享受其间，沉浸在童真的快乐里。上帝创造宇宙天体时，祂说有就有，并且说这创造是“好的”（希伯来文的好也意味着美）。上帝完成美好乐园的创造后，又因着爱而创造我们，将我们安置在伊甸园里，然后对我们说：“好好享受吧！”

有些人看见造物主的美好赏赐，并且享受其间，但对于上帝“却不当作上帝荣耀祂，也不感谢祂。他们的思念变为虚妄，无知的心就昏暗了”（罗马书1章21节） 。

有些人看见了受造物之美，就说：“感谢上帝！”并且接受祂，进入祂的光明中。

慈爱的天父，我们赞美祢的美善。
感谢祢的创造满有荣美与目的，让我们享受万物之美，
并能认识祢。祢的爱永远长存！ 

Psalm 136:1-9New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

整理：于姊妹