Creator (Dictionary): A person or thing that creates , the Creator, God, the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.
Creator (Bible): An artisan, builder, maker; one who labors for the public, a founder, creator, God, LORD, (Heavenly) Father.
We all have favorite worship songs. They seem to grab hold of our hearts and run through our minds. For me,” This is My Fathers World” is one of those hymns having amazing power to touch my heart.
This Is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Each stanza begins with “This is my Fathers world.” It sets the stage for this hymn. This is a proclamation of God’s Sovereignty. We need to remember that the creation of this incredible universe of ours was Gods idea from the very start! And the angels joined in a chorus of joy and singing as it unfolded! God challenged Job and the hymn writer (Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901) to see the depth of God’s power and love- each in their own way and time. And today we continue to be challenged!
Job 38:1-7: 1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?3 Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?6 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (NASB)
The hymn writer knew about joy after experiencing the grandeur of Gods plan. And through this hymn reached out to people to take the time to see and love God’s creativity and His phenomenal creation.
Just a few side notes about the hymn writer: Upon graduation from seminary, Mr. Babcock accepted a call to First Presbyterian Church in Lockport, New York, a few miles east of Niagara Falls and a few miles south of Lake Ontario. Babcock enjoyed running for exercise. He would often run several miles to a hill where he could see Lake Ontario in the distance. And he enjoyed visiting a ravine where some forty varieties of birds found sanctuary. As he left to go running, he would tell the secretary, “I’m going to see my Father’s world.” Let us do the same!
As we read the Bible and see God’s plan, we see He has revealed Himself in thousands of ways! How could anyone miss His Sovereignty?
Romans 1:18-20: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (NASB)
Let us take the time to stop and look at God’s creation. There is so much to see!
One might say that the Lord created this universe as a gift to His children. Someday God will restore the creation where rot, decay and death will be replaced by beauty and eternal life. In the meantime, let us enjoy His handy-work with joy and praise! We’re with you Mr. Babcock!
