God of Wonders; Day 4

Poetry of the Indescribable

As a teenager relegated to the back forty with the sheep, David probably had no idea that people would be reading his poetry thousands of years later. The future David envisioned for himself while hanging around sheep 24/7 was probably not that grandiose—certainly not a picture of the “you can be whatever you put your mind to” messages youth hear today.

David’s father did not see much value in him; he did not even include David in the sibling lineup for Samuel the prophet. In the end, his earthly father’s rejection did not matter because his heavenly Father had already marked him for future greatness. No one but God knew the training camp for this future psalmist king took place alone in the field with his sheep.

With no distractions except an occasional lost sheep to save, David’s senses could focus on the wonder around him day and night. He experienced the splendor of every sunrise, the fragrance of wildflowers, the feel of raindrops washing his face, the harvest moon bathing the sheep in light, and meteor showers displayed on the backdrop of the black dome of heaven. And even while David slept, his Creator visited him and shared His thoughts, sometimes in song. Those nighttime revelations might have become the lyrics to the songs David wrote. He lived as a prisoner of God’s creative exuberance. What a magnificent confinement.

David’s every waking moment would be a living synonym of awe. He had to release the wonderment even though his words could never describe such indescribable glory. The heavens did a better job than he ever could, but that did not stop him. He was willing to collaborate and allow the wonder to guide his pen.

Perhaps you have found your voice and started giving expression through writing, music or art. But if you are feeling stuck and wondering if you will ever get unstuck, the answer is yes. Or maybe you have not been able to start expressing yourself. The antidote to both situations is to overdose on beauty. Get so filled up by going for a walk in the woods or watching a sunset that you will burst if you do not express your feelings.

Questions to Ponder: What type of creative expression have you always wanted to pursue? How do you think you would find the awe of God in doing that?

So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:11-13

Lord, our Lord, 
how majestic is your 
name in all the earth! 
You have set your glory in the heavens. 
Through the praise of 
children and infants 
you have established 
a stronghold against 
your enemies, 
to silence the foe and the avenger. 
When I consider your heavens, 
the work of your fingers, 
the moon and the stars, 
which you have set in place, 
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, 
human beings that you care for them? 
You have made them 
a little lower than the angels 
and crowned them 
with glory and honor. 
You made them rulers 
over the works of your hands; 
you put everything under their feet: 
all flocks and herds, 
and the animals of the wild, 
the birds in the sky, 
and the fish in the sea, 
all that swim the paths of the seas. 
Lord, our Lord, 
how majestic is your 
name in all the earth! 
Psalm 8:1‭-‬9