Do You Not Know?

After a three-hour climb up a 2.5 mile mountain trail, I finally reached the summit. I knew in advance that this trail would be a strenuous 2,000 foot climb to the top of a waterfall, but I had no idea that it would take three hours to climb that 2.5 mile staircase. Yet as soon as I reached the peak of the mountain and peered over the ledge, every labored breath and tight muscle was worth it.

At 2,000 feet above the valley floor, I felt like I was on top of the world. The peaks of the snowy mountains stared back at me at eye level. The puffy clouds rolled through the sky within my reach. When I peaked over the ledge of the rock face I stood upon, I could watch the tumbling waterfall crash down 500 feet into the river below. The wind and mist from the falls cooled my face and neck, but the sunshine warmed me back up when I closed my eyes and pointed my nose toward it.

Can you believe this? I asked myself as I laughed out loud. I was so overjoyed, so in awe of where I stood, that I just wanted to laugh with delight. There was worship in that laugh. This place was God's gift of romance to me in that moment, and I rejoiced in His amazing love for me.

In my heart, I whispered a love song back to Him:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth.

As the truth of those words resonated in my mind, I felt the need to repeat them...only this time out loud.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth.

I do not know whether they heard or not, but I asked those questions like I was talking directly to the people around me who were also enjoying the scenery. I continued to explain out loud...

He does not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall,
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
The will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40)

I looked around to see if anyone was staring at me, but no one was. I almost wanted to tug somebody on the arm and ask them in a loud, excited voice, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? Do you not see this and know that a loving God exists?" I was  giddy with childlike surprise and wonder at what my eyes beheld.

God's marvelous creation testifies to His greatness and power. The mountains shout His glory. The forests applaud His power. The skies exalt and magnify His name. Everything He has made speaks of His beauty, His splendor, His dominion. Most of all, creation tells of His love - His vast, incomprehensible, and oh so precious love.

So I say to you with a light in my eyes, a smile on my face, and excitement in my voice, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth!"