The Forgotten Wood

The Forgotten Wood

In the mist-shrouded morn there stood

A marshy scene of trees and falling leaves,

Unseemly, aged with dead and dying sheaves;

There’s serenity in this forgotten wood

And never a thought of beauty, good

Should enter my mind, but this scene cleaves

To soul of poetry and retrieves

The notions of a longed-for land that should

Exist. Wherefore this forgotten wood

Reminds the soul of what it believes:

This age is but the Eve of passing eves—

The longing for the Day and expected good.

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When you look at the world around you, what do you see? What does nature tell you about reality? Often, I find myself deaf to the gentle whispers of falling leaves or the exuberant cries of praise in the morning's glistening first rays. Yet there is a voice in the the world around us. It speaks from morning to night and through the night. To know what it says, however, is impossible for the unregenerate man, at least to a degree. But we as believers have the privilege of hearing this voice in its relentless proclamation of God's glory. I unite in spirit with David who has written these words:

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world." Psalm 19:1-4 NASB

The heavens are telling, yet they have no literal speech; their expanse declares, yet without words; and the day speaks, yet there's no audible voice. I find it interesting though, that after enlightening us with such a wonderful reality, David explains the perfection and sufficiency of the Word of God. So I've come to this conclusion. We, having been regenerated by God, have the privilege of knowing what this voice is telling us, for we have the Word in our hearts. And through the special revelation of God we can rightfully interpret God's creation which is also a revelation of His nature and attributes.

So concerning the poem, note this fragment: "the forgotten wood reminds the soul of what it believes". When we correctly understand the word and believe it, the nature around us directs our gaze to Him who made it. We remember that decay and death will be swallowed up and eternal life will ensue. Our minds remember heaven. Consequently we remember grace, the very grace of today and the infinite grace to come. The heavens truly do tell of God's glory, you just need to open your eyes and ears to nature's choir.