I looked outside the window this morning listening to the cicada’s noise in the hackberry trees lining the yard. Their noise was peaceful and calming with a light and cool breeze. It didn’t appear to be an early July morning. God was surrounding me with the beautiful sounds of his creation. I looked down and there in the soil was a cicada. He was still as if when he landed it was the last thing he did during the early morning light. I marveled at how perfect he was and the shape of his form. A broad-headed insect with 3 camouflage markings like eyes in the middle of his head. I could see the shimmer of reflecting light and colors of the trees and grass in dark wings. His wings gracefully folded behind him blended in with the black soil. I couldn’t help to leave the house and see him closer. As I positioned the camera to snap his image, he shocked me by taking flight to a safer area of the yard.

We sometimes are so alike this beloved creature who makes our summer days wonderful with his music. We will be loud with our July celebration and forget to be open in our praise to God for the wonderful mercy and grace in allowing the freedom to worship him. We have the blessed privilege of worship to God and would rather celebrate earthly freedoms first and letting them become our worship. I would rather be like the David who left us his songs and writings in the glory he shared with our heavenly Father.

“Let all the earth fear Jehovah: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake and it was done: He commanded and it stood fast.“ “Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Jehovah looketh from heaven.” Psalms 33: 8-9, 12-13 ASV

He is the author of our freedoms, not men. Praise the Lord our God.