“Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound. Let the fields and everything in them celebrate. Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy”

Psalm 96:11-12

If you have spent any time with me in the last 18 months, then you have probably heard about my newest hobby – listening and watching my neighborhood birds! I wouldn’t call myself an expert birder, but I do try to spend a few minutes every day just listening to their songs. It is such an integral part of my routine now, whenever I travel (another town, state, or even neighborhood) I’m listening to see if there’s one out there I don’t recognize so I can add it to my list. 

When I began putting out feeders and watching for what may visit my yard, I could barely tell the difference between a wren and a sparrow. But now my ears have become attuned to picking out the distinct birdsongs because I spent so much time listening. Sometimes I am amazed that they have been singing and resting in branches above me my whole life, but I never noticed them. They are always singing and we can enjoy the birds’ praise if we pay attention. And, astoundingly,  I have found that the best place to listen to birdsong with the most variety of birds in one place at any given time is right outside my front door!

I go out on my front porch with my morning coffee for about 15 minutes (just 15 minutes!) and I try to stay as still and as quiet as I possibly can. I don’t want any noise but the birds themselves. In fact, I’m tempted to give any car that passes an unpleasant look whenever they drive by because of the road noise they cause. (I stop myself… most of the time.) But I have to stay silent so as not to miss any bids. 

My best listening session recently gave me nearly 30 different species of birds singing distinct songs. Every single one of them was a song to the Lord. The psalms remind us that all creation is singing a song of praise to its Creator.

Creation has been singing its worship song since the moment God said, “Let there be light.” How majestic is His name in all the earth! 

But as much as I love the birds’ songs of praise. As much as the birds of the sky and the fish of the seas and every created thing gives glory to their Creator, there is a song that the Lord loves to hear that much more. Do you know which song that is? It’s yours!

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ – if you have been redeemed from sin and death by the Son of God – you cannot keep silent and let the birds and the seas and the rocks cry out in your place. We are the ones who get to declare His praises with the most enthusiasm. We are the redeemed! 

The morning song of birds reminds me each day that praise is given by all of creation; we simply join in the song. All of God’s creation has been participating in this song. And how does creation sing praise?  How does the sun worship? And how do the mountains or the sea? How do the heavens declare the glory of God?

I’ll tell you how. By existing exactly as God created them to be.

The sun declares the glory of God simply by shining and giving its light because that is what God created it to do. The ocean declares the glory of God by breaking its waves against the shore and no farther because that is what God created it to do.

So how do we declare the glory of God? By repenting of our sins, believing the Gospel, and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ. We were created to glorify God forever by enjoying Him and walking with Him. Meaning, praise is something we do. As much as I love listening to Creation’s Praise Song, Praise is a verb; it is an action.

At some point you are going to have to open your mouth and sing. At some point you are going to have to open your mouth to proclaim Him. At some point you are going to have to confess Him as Lord. At some point you are going to have to make noise in praise. 

Jesus said if we were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” So let today be your time to sing.

What are some things that you are praising God for today? You can sing a new song to the Lord every day because there is always a new reason to praise him. 

“Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has performed wonders; his right hand and holy arm have won him victory. The LORD has made his victory known; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory. Let the whole earth shout to the LORD; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing.”

Psalm 98:1-4