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, the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.

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. 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!

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.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This hymn was written in the 1880’s by Maltbie Babcock. He was an avid runner, hiker, outdoorsman, and also a minister. In the book, “Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories”, it is told that often when leaving his office, “he would tell his secretary, ‘I’m going out to see my Father’s world’, and he would get lost in nature”. A man after my own heart!

This song came into my spirit today, especially after having enjoyed the warmer temperatures recently and doing some hiking and yard work. The signs of spring are unmistakable, and the birds sound so very happy!

These first verses describe my joy!

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, the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.

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.

As we move through the verses, the author’s spirit focuses on what God’s creation tells us about Him. This is the God we need to KNOW right now; to worship right now; to ask for protection right now; to calm our spirits right now; to trust right now without any doubts! Our world is currently seeing, feeling, and recognizing the seriousness of the Covid-19 virus. It is/will have even more impact than 9/11, which totally changed our world as we knew it. I wonder what the history books will write about this.

I pray that we will not lose our faith and not listen to those who do not take this seriously. Focus on the rest of this powerful hymn.

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!

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair; . . .

He speaks to me everywhere

By these words, we are reminded that:

• God is ruler still

• The Lord is King

• God reigns; let the earth be glad

• He shines in all that’s fair

• He speaks to me everywhere

What an encouraging song for such a time as this! No matter what the next several months look like, remember this:

This is my Father's world, and God is ruler still!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel