Psalm 19: Caring for the Universe?

‘Psalm 19 paints a picture of God’s amazing creation, so we are prompted to ask how we can take care of it.’

Summary

Last month scientists identified a potential water source on Mars. Is this an exciting potential for life on another planet, or yet another natural resource that might get polluted? The first part of Psalm 19 celebrates creation, and we could also see as a call to care for the universe. The second two parts look at God’s Law and our response to it. Following God results in flourishing, but rejecting him affects the whole land. Obedience today involves following Christ, with the help of his Spirit. As part of this, we can care for creation and continue to see the heavens declaring the glory of God.

NASA/Reto Stöckli

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Discussion questions

1. When was the last time you saw the sky on a moonless night, maybe in an area without much light pollution? How did you feel?
2. How have you, or the people close to you, been affected by the damage humankind has inflicted on creation. e.g. air or water pollution, biodiversity loss, drought and flood. (If no one in your group is/has family in the majority world, ask – how are people in the majority world affected?)
3. Have you seen the triangular relationship between God, people and land before? How can it contribute to our thinking about creation care?
4. Can you share any success stories of people caring for creation?
5. What have you tried to do yourself to look after creation? What worked? What didn’t work? What did you enjoy? What was hard but seemed worthwhile?

Psalm 19 (NRSV, Year B, Sunday 15^th & 29^th September)

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens and its circuit to the end of them, and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect one’s own errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

See also Proverbs 1.20-33

Article

Last month scientists published evidence for huge amounts of liquid water deep below the surface of Mars.[i] If measurements from the InSight rover[ii] are representative, there could be a layer of fractured rocks containing water between 11.5 and 20km below the surface of the entire planet. This volume would be more than enough to fill the empty oceans on the surface. Given that life has been found at least 5km below the surface of Earth, it’s not too far-fetched to wonder whether some kind of microscopic life exists in this layer of water and rock.

Yogendra Singh Pixabay

Some of us get excited about the prospects of finding life on another planet, both for its own sake and because it would help us to learn more about life on Earth. But perhaps there’s also something to worry about here. How can we look after life on another planet when we can’t even take care of our own? Earlier in August record fines were announced for three water companies that allowed huge sewage spills into rivers and oceans. If some people are contemplating tapping into groundwater to support expeditions to Mars, as the scientists mention in their article, the prospects of similar contamination taking place are horrifying.

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