Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 81, 88, 92-93
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Greatness of God in Creation.”
“Thy work … the works of thy hands … thy works…” This is a reminder of those days of creation and of that work in Genesis 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” God set a standard for rest. “Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work…” We do need to be diligent, productive, and prudent workers, but God also teaches us about the need to rest, reflect, and remember. This psalm is a psalm dedicated to emphasizing our worship during rest as we reflect upon all the reasons we work. “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” The word rendered “good” has a very wide sense, requiring a most lengthy definition in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary. He says that it may mean, among other definitions, “beautiful; better; best; bountiful; cheerful; glad; good; joyful; pleasant; precious; sweet…” How descriptive are all of these in the believer’s thanksgiving to God, and how much God must appreciate the thankfulness of His saints. Are you thankful today? What have you already thanked God for today? In the morning and at night the psalmist encourages praise, declaring the lovingkindness and the faithfulness of God. Spurgeon writes, “No hour is too early for holy song, and no hour is too late for praise.” Dr Cohen agrees, saying, “Suitable times of the day in which to direct thoughts to God, before the round of duty begins and after it has ended.” It is always good to begin and end the day with God, and, of course, this also includes that the intervening hours will likewise be filled with thoughts of Him and talking to Him. The very thoughts of God’s great creation around us and even His creation of us, should cause us to burst forth in praise to Him. But not only are the works of God great, His thoughts are very deep. “O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” (vs. 5) His purpose and His plans, both in and for creation, are fully known to Him alone, though we as His people may wonder and admire. We, as saints may contemplate, and then say, with Paul, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and is ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33). As He says in Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are not your thoughts… my thoughts are higher than your thoughts…” How blessed it is for the Christian, that, even in a little measure, we are permitted to enter into the thoughts of God, and worship.
Personal Prayer Request:
- Lord, please help me to not take anything you have created for granted. You are the source of all life, happiness, and purpose.
- Lord, thank you for the display of your greatness in creation and how I marvel at the order in which you keep all things together.
- Lord, please help me to never have an elevated view of myself, but may I always see my smallness and your greatness.