There is a place on Highway 66 coming from Morristown toward Dandridge, about 2 miles before you reach the interstate.  As you crest the hill, you can look out across the mountains in front of you as the smoky mist rises.  To your left and right is countryside and farmland.  Directly in front of you, the sun sets between two valleys.  Every individual sight in every single direction is beautiful.  The setting sun is breathtaking.  The farmland displays life.  The mountains testify to the enormity of creation.  But take them all together, and the full riches of God’s beauty is displayed.  The sun rises and falls at just the right time to create night and day.  It defines the hours of work and sleep.  It regulates the climate so that we can survive.  The grass that feeds the livestock and the corn that fills our tables all grow because of the sun.  The mountains protect us and give us a temperate climate.  The mist from the mountains is more than the simple beauty of our Great Smokies, it is a reminder that God brings the rain so that we have water for drinking and farming.  Each part has its own glory.  Together, they form a complete picture of God’s handiwork.

God’s word explains it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:41: “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.”

Each symbol of creation is unique and beautiful, but together, they testify to the Creator -- He is real and there is simply no denying it. 

Thomas Chisholm had this in mind when he wrote the lesser known, middle verse of the hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Those beautiful images join with all of nature to witness to the Creator and His faithfulness, mercy, and love.  Great is Your faithfulness, O God.  Every day your mercies are new, and we see it in the provision of Your hand.  Great is Your faithfulness to me!

So, next time you’re on that stretch of highway, or virtually any other in this area, consider it an opportunity enjoy the “manifold witness” of God’s great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Chris

Don't know one of the songs we're singing?  Check them out here?

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
https://youtu.be/OibIi1rz7mw?feature=shared

The Lord Almighty Reigns
https://youtu.be/5XYeDpNndR0?feature=shared

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
https://youtu.be/WvtaGtTeMpI?feature=shared