(Previously Published on Mrs Words Blog & Hillsong Creative Devotionals)

Take a walk with me… imagine we’re standing in a forest of trees. Oaks, pines and cedars surround us, standing so tall and majestic. Trunks and branches reaching for the sky. Leaves flutter and sway in the breeze. Dry stalks, remnants of life and colour, crunching beneath our feet as we traverse amongst the greatness of God, expressed in nature surrounding us. What are you feeling in this moment?

For me, there is no feeling like it. To breathe in the fragrance of nature amongst the trees, birds singing in stunning song. It’s when I feel closest to God.

I have a memory from when I was younger. We were driving along tree-lined mountains with a group of friends. One of them randomly piped up with “I wonder why trees still grow upwards when they are on mountain sides – shouldn’t they grow sideways?” I laughed at her silliness then, but still, to this day, I think of that moment.

I know gravity has a lot to do with it, but have you ever stopped to wonder what trees are reaching for? What they are growing towards? Perhaps they are simply being who they were created to be. Reaching their limbs and leaves upwards. A forest choir, stretching forth and singing in glorious praise to our God.

“High heavens, sing!

God has done it.

Deep earth, shout!

And you mountains, sing!

A forest choir of oaks and pines and cedars!”

Isaiah 44:23 (MSG)

Isaiah commends the heavens to sing, the earth to shout and the mountains and trees to sing to God. It’s a great reminder for us to give glory where it’s due. Every part of a tree’s being stretches upwards in beautiful array to its Creator. Our great and glorious God, the Creator of the heavens and earth is fully deserving of our praise and adoration. It’s what He created us for.

This Christmas, let us be careful to not simply just sing the lyrics of Christmas Carols, but be intentional in singing to our God and shouting out His praise, giving Him the honour that is due to His name. If even the trees and mountains worship Him, how much more should we? If the trees reach out in praising, so will I!

Let heaven and nature sing of the majesty and splendour of our King!