Lord as we gaze upon the heavens, show us how they declare your character (glory). What is it about the firmament above that paints a visible picture of your character? Please enable our faith to see the Master Designer behind it all.

We see the sun as it gives warmth to the earth, we see the sky as it gives colour to the portrait before us, we see the clouds that give rain and shelter to the land, we see the sunrise giving a glorious welcome to the new day, we see the sunset giving us a reminder of your eternal majesty and power, we breath the air that gives its vitality to all that lives, we see the moon as it gives its light to the night, we see the clouds as they give their precious bounty to the wicked and the good . . . Yes Lord, we see that everything in the heavens exists for the purpose of giving.

As we gaze upon the firmament that you have made, therefore, we cannot help but to conclude that . . .

"It is the glory of our God to give." (Desire of Ages, p.21)

Oh Father, knowing this, shall there ever be a time when we will look up to the heavens and not be reminded of your character - that character that gave to the earth all that it needs for physical and spiritual life - that character that gave its very own life that we might have life eternal?

From the heavens above to the cross below, we see that all speak of a benevolent, generous heavenly Father.

"The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. This carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is the true fruit of the Christian life." (4 Testimonies, p.80)

And so, as we see your generosity, keep us reminded of the purpose of the faith-life. Let us never forget that . . .

"God imparts His gifts to us that we also may give, and thus make known His character to the world." (Christ's Object Lessons, p.300)

As the heavens declare your glory, and as the cross declares your glory, so you have called upon us to declare your glory (Rev 3:14) - to reveal through our daily lives, through acts of kindness, that the God who lives within us is a God who loves to give . . .

Just as the clouds receive to give, just as the earth receives to give, just as the rivers receive to give, just as the sea receives to give, just as the trees receive to give, so you have asked us to receive of your gifts that we might follow the generous example of Nature - and thus reveal your character.

We notice too, that the sea only receives because it gave, and that the rivers only receive because they gave. Help us to remember, therefore, that . . .

"The capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting?"(Christ's Object Lessons, p.142/3)

Give us the confidence and the faith to give without fear of coming to want - for giving is the key to receiving. In fact, if "the capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting," we must conclude that giving is the safety net that keeps us from falling into want.

This being the case, dear Master Giver . . . please help us to have a faith that depends on you and not on the things that you have given us, for you have only given us these things so that we can follow the example of the heavens. Help us to give to others what you have given to us - and thus bring glory to Your name. Help us to ever remember that . . .

"He who humbly uses what God has given for the honour of the Giver, freely giving as he has received, may feel the peace and assurance in all his business that God's hand is over him for good, and he himself will bear the impress of God, having the Father's smile."(3 Testimonies, p.546)