When the dark days of late autumn and winter arrive, it is hard to find color in the world.  It seems that everything comes in shades of gray.  So I like to remember the beauty of the flowers of the summer and early autumn.

Scripture tells us of the creation story, specifically on the third day God created the plants and vegetation of our earth.

“And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.”  

Genesis 1:11-13 ESV

God saw the vegetation, flowers, plants and trees and saw that “it was good”! 

In fact, God was so pleased with His created nature that when He gave the directions for construction of the tabernacle by His people in the wilderness, He specifically included flowers to be depicted in the furnishings. 

“You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it.”

Exodus 25:31 ESV

Can you imagine the beauty of the golden lampstand shaped as flowers for the use in the tabernacle?  Can you imagine what it looked like when the sun shined and the gold reflected light as it glittered in the stark contrast to the wilderness surrounding the people? 

This same motif was to be followed in the house of the Lord that King Solomon was instructed to build.

“The cedar within the house was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; no stone was seen. … Around all the walls of the house he carved engraved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, in the inner and outer rooms.”  

1 Kings 6:18, 29 ESV

Can you imagine the beauty of trees and flowers carved into the cedar?

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!  Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”  

Psalm 96:1-6 ESV

Our God is the One who created the universe and He included in our world the beauty of a wide diversity of flowers and vegetation of all kinds.  Praise His holy name for the beauty of His creation for the children of men.

Father, I praise Your name for Your marvelous work in creation.  Thank You for the beauty around us.  May I give You honor and glory for this is due You because You and You alone are God.