Thursday, September 21

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭65:9-13‬

In Psalm 65, David discusses the grace that God has shown to His people, by giving us an invitation to approach Him in His courts.  He has forgiven our transgressions, even though we were weighed down with sin.  Even more, the greatness of His creation speaks to His amazing sovereignty and grace.

The second two stanzas speak about God's hand of grace manifest in creation and the worship that He calls forth, even from inanimate objects.  God has brought all creation into being, and His sovereignty directs even the watercourses.  As a result, even the grasslands, hills, meadows, and valleys "shout for joy and sing."

What about us?  Do we have similar attitude of worship?  As we reflect on creation's worship of its Creator, we would do well to invest our lives in worshipping Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23).

I have a tendency to play and replay songs that speak to my heart.  I encountered such a song regarding this very topic of creation's worship called "100 Billion X (So Will I)," from Hillsong (https://youtu.be/oLURTvUQoTM).  This song suggests that we may follow the 100 billion galaxies and the 100 billion creatures that God spoke into being with His very breath.  He created everything without pattern or point of reference, and His word has never been spoken in vain or without effect.  He has kept His promise, and we should respond with obedience and reverence.

The song then discusses the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and how "100 billion failures" disappear in His shed blood.  His surrender calls forth our surrender; His love for the lost, ours.  From creation to redemption to final glory, God's story resonates with His faithfulness!

Lord God, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness to Your promise.  Give us eyes to see Your creation with wonder and to follow its example by bringing You heartfelt worship.  Help us to remember Your sovereignty when we are prone to worry and Your love when we become self-interested.  Thank You for Your awesome creation.  To You be all praise, honor, and glory forever!  Amen.