Praise to God Who Made the World
Psalm 104
1My whole being, praise the LORD.
LORD my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with glory and majesty;
2you wear light like a robe.
You stretch out the skies like a tent.
3You build your room above the clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot,
and you ride on the wings of the wind.
4You make the winds your messengers,
and flames of fire are your servants.
5You built the earth on its foundations
so it can never be moved.
6You covered the earth with oceans;
the water was above the mountains.
7But at your command, the water rushed away.
When you thundered your orders, it hurried away.
8The mountains rose; the valleys sank.
The water went to the places you made for it.
9You set borders for the seas that they cannot cross,
so water will never cover the earth again.
10You make springs pour into the ravines;
they flow between the mountains.
11They water all the wild animals;
the wild donkeys come there to drink.
12Wild birds make nests by the water;
they sing among the tree branches.
13You water the mountains from above.
The earth is full of the things you made.
14You make the grass for cattle
and vegetables for the people.
You make food grow from the earth.
15You give us wine that makes happy hearts
and olive oil that makes our faces shine.
You give us bread that gives us strength.
16The LORD’S trees have plenty of water;
they are the cedars of Lebanon, which he planted.
17The birds make their nests there;
the stork’s home is in the fir trees.
18The high mountains belong to the wild goats.
The rocks are hiding places for the badgers.
19You made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun always knows when to set.
20You make it dark, and it becomes night.
Then all the wild animals creep around.
21The lions roar as they attack.
They look to God for food.
22When the sun rises, they leave
and go back to their dens to lie down.
23Then people go to work
and work until evening.
24LORD, you have made many things;
with your wisdom you made them all.
The earth is full of your riches.
25Look at the sea, so big and wide,
with creatures large and small that cannot be counted.
26Ships travel over the ocean,
and there is the sea monster Leviathan,
which you made to play there.
27All these things depend on you
to give them their food at the right time.
28When you give it to them,
they gather it up.
When you open your hand,
they are filled with good food.
29When you turn away from them,
they become frightened.
When you take away their breath,
they die and turn to dust.
30When you breathe on them,
they are created,
and you make the land new again.
31May the glory of the LORD be forever.
May the LORD enjoy what he has made.
32He just looks at the earth, and it shakes.
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.
34May my thoughts please him;
I am happy in the LORD.
35Let sinners be destroyed from the earth,
and let the wicked live no longer.
My whole being, praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version
SITUATION
This anonymous songwriter appreciated God's creation. God created and sustains the universe.
OBSERVATION
The universe bears witness to God's majesty, splendor, and lordship.
INSPIRATION
Nature is God's workshop. The sky is his resume. The universe is his calling card. You want to know who God is. See what he has done. You want to know his power? Take a look at his creation, Curious about his strength? Pay a visit to his home address: 1 Billion Starry Sky Avenue, Want to know his size? Step out into the night and stare at starlight emitted one million years ago and then read 2 Chronicles 2:6, "No one can really build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can hold him."
He is untainted by the atmosphere of sin, unbridled by the time line of history, unhindered by the weariness of the body.
What controls you doesn't control him. What troubles you doesn't trouble him. What fatigues you doesn't fatigue him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbedby a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it.
How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath. and step over the troubles of the earth! "This is something people cannot do, but God can do all things" (Matthew 19:26). (From The Great House of God by Max Lucado)
APPLICATION
Take a walk in the park. Gaze out the window at the clouds. Get away from the noise and listen to the sounds of nature. As you enjoy the beauty of creation, thank and praise God for his handiwork.
EXPLORATION
God the Creator - Genesis 1-2; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 26:7; 3839; Psalm 8:3-4; 102:25;
Acts 14:15; Hebrews 11:3.
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