Redwood trees scrape the deep blue sky, and the Jedediah Smith River rushes over slick stones in Crescent City, the gateway to Redwood National Park in Northern California. The beauty of God’s creation has always been most evident to me in this picturesque setting, and camping in the Redwoods refreshed me often during past summers.
In the shadow of Northern California’s towering trees, I have learned to cherish God’s creative works. These natural wonders are particularly meaningful when viewed through the lens of the Psalms, which extol God’s creative power and inspire believers to respond with praise.
Forest
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD.— Psalm 96:11–13, NIV
Driving alongside the enormous trees of California’s redwood forest inspires awe from afar, but walking through groves of these giants brings their ancient splendor into sharper focus. As I hiked through the Grove of Titans, sidestepping mossy logs and skirting overgrowth which spills from hillsides onto the dirt trails, sunlight filtered through the trees’ green branches and illuminated their deep red bark.
The redwoods of the forest rejoice before God in their natural cathedral, and their magnificence prompts me to praise God for his creativity on display in this forest and across the globe. Strolling in the shadow of these colossal trees also taught me that creation was made to glorify God, and I have the privilege of joining the forest in giving praise to my maker. The woods of Northern California are singing for joy, inviting me to join in their song and exalt the creator (Is. 55:12).
River
Shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD.— Psalm 98:7–9
The aquamarine Jedediah Smith River is a pristine waterway framed by a wide rocky beach and a forest of green trees. Kayaking, swimming, and riding in an inflatable row boat are all ways that I’ve explored different sections of the Jedediah Smith River, and each of these activities has led me to further appreciate the river and the stunning cliffs and rocks which surround it.
Just as the woods rejoice before God, the river also praises the Lord and inspires me to take delight in God’s creation.
The Jedediah Smith River fulfills the psalmist’s joyful instruction for the landscape itself to celebrate before God as the river and mountains add their voices to the chorus that the forest is singing to the Lord. While standing on the rocks at the water’s edge, I feel a sense of wonder at the peaceful surroundings and marvel at the truth that just like the river, I too am created to worship and glorify God.
Ocean
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.— Psalm 89:8–9
Of all of California’s picturesque places, it has always been the wild Pacific Ocean, which batters the lonely northern coastline and shoots spray onto its rocky shore, that I loved the most. Year after year, I waded through tidepools in search of bright red starfish and watched the frothy waves of the sea sparkle under a summer sun. On clear days, I caught glimpses of Crescent City’s red-and-white Battery Point lighthouse from afar.
Point St. George, a rocky point three miles from Crescent City, has two beaches—a wide one to the north of the point and a narrow one to the south. While visiting the southern beach, I walked on the driftwood-strewn shore near the pounding surf and recalled that one of the ways God displays his might is in his total dominion over all nature.
As the breakers crashed against the deserted shore at Point St. George, I contemplated the truth that God is exalted over the universe, and his reign over the awesome force of the foaming ocean displays his power.
God is in complete control of the roiling waters, and he uses that power to create well-ordered beauty. Both the surging sea and the tranquil tide pools, where starfish lounge and crabs scuttle around, reveal God’s authority over nature and his ability to create and sustain the wildest waves and the calmest creatures (Col. 1:16–17).
Nature points us to praise God because it is evidence of the Lord’s power and creativity, as well as his constant care for all he has made. Surveying God’s creation humbles us and reminds us that everything in the universe ultimately belongs to him, as he is the maker and sustainer of all life. As we see proof of God’s majesty in nature, we join the psalmist in worshipping the Lord and extolling him for his goodness.
I look forward to more trips up to Northern California, each of which will teach me to further appreciate God’s character as I marvel at the Creator’s many wonderful works.
