This song was written in 1886 and arranged to music in 1949. We all know this song and it is very beloved. The second verse contains these words, “When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountains grandeur and heard the brook and feel the gentle breeze.” When in the Smoky Mountains this past week these words became very much alive to me. We could not hear the birds up where we went hiking and the gentle breeze was much more like gale force winds, the affect was still the same. I have head the birds singing their songs outside my window this week. Spring is getting closer!
We did get to see the wonderful works of God with in His Creation. The mountains were unadorned; the snow was dirty and breeze was very crisp but one could still visible comprehend the wonderful works of God.
One could understand why the mountains are called the Great Smoky Mountains. At times we were where we could see the tops and the bottoms of the clouds. At times we were in the middle of the clouds and you could see them roll over the mountains. One could almost feel the clouds move from one side of the mountain to the other. As we were traveling we could see the mountains on each side with the cloud just hanging in the middle. An old barn was in front of this image and I wish we had the time to stop and take a picture. It is something that I will hold in my memory for a very long time. The majesty of the mountains is spectacular!
As we were hiking there were several ideas that came to mind. One was who was the first person to blaze the trails? The temptation to see what was on the other side of the mountain must have been great! But to get to the other side of the mountain was very trying and tempestuous. Then came to mind how those trails became paths for covered wagons. From those paths to become roads for our automobiles, what pioneers they must have been! How ingenious and courageous they all must have been! Then since some of our group was not feeling well, what did our forefathers do when they got sick? They did not have the medicine that we have nor did they have doctors that were that convenient to them. The trials and tribulations must have been great! Yet, to see all of the beauty of nature that God has provided for us, how can some deny that there is a God?
Streams were everywhere! One could hear them very clearly even above the sound of the wind. Water was cascading over the rocks and the sound was tremendous. We were on the top of one of the mountains and could easily hear the water below as it was bounding over those rocks. Yet it was so very beautiful.
Let us remember, “The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine, as for the world and the fullness thereof thou hast founded them” (Psalm 89:11). There has been the temptation to worship the creation (Romans 1) through out the ages we can not do that. But the creation should point us to God, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). There is no individual that could make what we saw in the mountains, we know this, so that shows us there is a superior Being.
That Being is God. Listen carefully, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). As see that someone greater than ourselves made all of this; we find from God’s Word that it is God and that He has provided us with grace and mercy to be reconciled back to Him. Let us follow His plan so that we can obtain our heavenly home!
Love, Keith
