Cattle on a Thousand Hills

Dear Kids,

Psalm 50:9-11. “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.”

I can still see the little girl with the blonde pixie haircut sitting in the front row on a small wooden chair. All of the children had taken their seats in order by age as the Sunday School superintendent called all to order. She straightens her pink flowered dress and takes one last glance at her new, shiny, patent leather Mary Janes before the music begins to play. A big smile brightens her face and she sings out lustily the words to one of her favorite songs.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, 

the wealth in every mine.

He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, 

the sun and moon that shine.

Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell

He is my Father so they’re mine as well.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know that He will care for me.

I have always loved this song. Even as that little girl growing up in the big city I could picture cattle grazing on a hill and mountain streams cascading over a waterfall. The thought that my Father in heaven owned all of these made me think that He must be very big and very rich. I felt safe knowing He loved me and promised to take care of me.

I am grown now but I still think of this song every time I drive by a field where the cattle are grazing or resting in the shade. The memories pull me back to the basement of the little church in Kearny, New Jersey, where I first learned to sing the song. But through the years I have come to realize that my God is much bigger than my little mind could ever imagine. Everything in this world belongs to Him and He has authority over it all. He does not need anything from us, but desires that we bring Him the sacrifice of our lives with a thankful heart.  When we honor Him He tells us to call upon Him in the day of trouble; and He promises to deliver.

What a great God! Get to know Him because the older you get and the better you get to know Him, the bigger and stronger He grows.

Love,

Mama