How often do we give thanks to God? Let’s begin in Psalm 107.
From what adversary has He ultimately redeemed us, an act returning a lost inheritance, such as Boaz did for Ruth through marriage?
Give thanks to Yahweh [the Lord], for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Ps 107:1-3 WEB)
Are we wandering in a spiritual desert wasteland looking for a home?
Some of the redeemed had wandered into the desert, into the wasteland. They couldn’t find their way to a city or town. They were hungry and thirsty; their lives were slipping away. So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and God delivered them from their desperate circumstances. God led them straight to human habitation. Let them thank the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all people, because God satisfied the one who was parched with thirst, and he filled up the hungry with good things! (Ps 107:4-9 CEB)
Do we suffer in this world because of our own past sins? Can God rescue us?
Some of you were prisoners suffering in deepest darkness and bound by chains, because you had rebelled against God Most High and refused his advice. You were worn out from working like slaves, and no one came to help. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you. He brought you out of the deepest darkness and broke your chains. (Ps 107:10-14 CEV)
Do we thank the Lord for setting us free from the bondage to sin?
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. (Ps 107:15-16 ESV)
Do our own sins cause much of our suffering? Who alone can rescue us?
Fools suffered affliction because of their rebellious ways and their sins. They loathed all food and came near the gates of death. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He sent His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for all humanity. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and announce His works with shouts of joy. (Ps 107:17-22 HCSB)
Do those who go to sea witness the great power of God in the oceans and realize that prayer to God is their only resource?
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who work in the great waters, witnessed the works of the Lord—his awesome deeds in the ocean’s depth. He spoke and stirred up a windstorm that made its waves surge. The people ascended skyward and descended to the depths, their courage melting away in their peril. They reeled and staggered like a drunkard, as all their wisdom became useless. Yet when they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven. (Ps 107:23-30 ISV)
How soon does it take us to praise the Lord, exalting Him over everything else?
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (Ps 107:31-32 KJV)
Who turns deserts, which were once a curse for sin, into fruitful land, a blessing?
He makes rivers into a wilderness And springs of water into a thirsty ground; A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the evil of those who inhabited it. He makes a wilderness into a pool of water And a dry land into springs of water; And there He causes the hungry to inhabit, So that they may establish an inhabited city, And sow fields and plant vineyards, And produce a fruitful harvest. Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly, And He does not let their cattle decrease. (Ps 107:33-38 LSB)
When God’s people are oppressed, does He have plans to rescue the poor from the contemptuous and greedy?
When they become few and lowly Because of oppression, misery, and sorrow, He pours contempt upon noblemen And makes them wander in a pathless wasteland. But He sets the needy securely on high, away from affliction, And makes his families like a flock. The upright see it and are glad; But all injustice shuts its mouth. Who is wise? He is to pay attention to these things, And consider the mercy of the Lord. (Ps 107:39-43 NASB)
How can we be saved from the troubles of this world for all eternity?
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Rom 10:9-10 NIV)
How often do we give thanks to God? You decide!
God's Mercy (Psalm 106)
Though we may stumble into sin, will God mercifully forgive us upon repentance? Let’s look at Psalm 106.
Can we get past empty words and truly praise the Lord? Is He good, merciful, and mighty?
Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! (Ps 106:1-3 NKJV)
Are we satisfied to be alone, or do we really want to share fellowship with other believers?
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. (Ps 106:4-5 NLT)
Do we freely admit that we have all sinned, or do we live in a delusion of self-righteousness?
We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly. Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left. Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. (Ps 106:6-12 WEB)
Do we quickly forget our past sins and rush into making decisions without seeking the Lord’s guidance?
But how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his advice. They were overcome with craving in the desert; they tested God in the wastelands. God gave them what they asked for; he sent food to satisfy their appetites. (Ps 106:13-15 CEB)
Are we jealous of someone else’s position in the church enough to rebel against God or are we humble and supportive?
Everyone in camp was jealous of Moses and of Aaron, your chosen priest. Dathan and Abiram rebelled, and the earth opened up and swallowed them. Then fire broke out and destroyed all of their followers. (Ps 106:16-18 CEV)
What in our churches could be an idol that we perhaps worship more than God?
They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. (Ps 106:19-23 ESV)
How dangerous is it to want to go our own ways and despise what God is giving us as our inheritance?
They despised the pleasant land and did not believe His promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the Lord’s voice. So He raised His hand against them with an oath that He would make them fall in the desert and would disperse their descendants among the nations, scattering them throughout the lands. (Ps 106:24-27 HCSB)
How easy is it to worship something of this world rather than God? What are some examples in today’s world?
For they adopted the worship of Baal Peor and ate sacrifices offered to the dead. They had provoked anger by their deeds, so that a plague broke out against them. But Phinehas intervened and prayed so that the plague was restrained. And it was credited to him as a righteous act, from generation to generation—to eternity. (Ps 106:28-31 ISV)
What foolish actions could possibly make God angry at us today? What words have we possibly spoken unadvisedly?
They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. (Ps 106:32-33 KJV)
Instead of eradicating cultural practices like sacrificing children and shedding innocent blood, what had Israel done? Have we also allowed perverse cultural practices to continue?
They did not destroy the peoples, As Yahweh commanded them, But they mingled with the nations And learned their works, And served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, And they shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their works, And played the harlot in their actions. (Ps 106:34-39 LSB)
Was God angry with Israel for their idolatry and punished them for it?
Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, And He loathed His inheritance. So He handed them over to the nations, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. Many times He would rescue them; They, however, were rebellious in their plan, And they sank down into their guilt. (Ps 106:40-43 NASB)
Even in punishment was God merciful? When we repent of sins, can we expect the same mercy from God?
Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy. Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord. (Ps 106:44-48 NIV)
What are we to learn from this history of Israel’s battles with sin?
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor 10:6-11 NKJV)
Will God be just as merciful to us if we confess our sins?
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
Though we may stumble into sin, will God mercifully forgive us upon repentance? You decide!
Can we get past empty words and truly praise the Lord? Is He good, merciful, and mighty?
Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! (Ps 106:1-3 NKJV)
Are we satisfied to be alone, or do we really want to share fellowship with other believers?
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. (Ps 106:4-5 NLT)
Do we freely admit that we have all sinned, or do we live in a delusion of self-righteousness?
We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly. Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left. Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. (Ps 106:6-12 WEB)
Do we quickly forget our past sins and rush into making decisions without seeking the Lord’s guidance?
But how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his advice. They were overcome with craving in the desert; they tested God in the wastelands. God gave them what they asked for; he sent food to satisfy their appetites. (Ps 106:13-15 CEB)
Are we jealous of someone else’s position in the church enough to rebel against God or are we humble and supportive?
Everyone in camp was jealous of Moses and of Aaron, your chosen priest. Dathan and Abiram rebelled, and the earth opened up and swallowed them. Then fire broke out and destroyed all of their followers. (Ps 106:16-18 CEV)
What in our churches could be an idol that we perhaps worship more than God?
They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. (Ps 106:19-23 ESV)
How dangerous is it to want to go our own ways and despise what God is giving us as our inheritance?
They despised the pleasant land and did not believe His promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the Lord’s voice. So He raised His hand against them with an oath that He would make them fall in the desert and would disperse their descendants among the nations, scattering them throughout the lands. (Ps 106:24-27 HCSB)
How easy is it to worship something of this world rather than God? What are some examples in today’s world?
For they adopted the worship of Baal Peor and ate sacrifices offered to the dead. They had provoked anger by their deeds, so that a plague broke out against them. But Phinehas intervened and prayed so that the plague was restrained. And it was credited to him as a righteous act, from generation to generation—to eternity. (Ps 106:28-31 ISV)
What foolish actions could possibly make God angry at us today? What words have we possibly spoken unadvisedly?
They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. (Ps 106:32-33 KJV)
Instead of eradicating cultural practices like sacrificing children and shedding innocent blood, what had Israel done? Have we also allowed perverse cultural practices to continue?
They did not destroy the peoples, As Yahweh commanded them, But they mingled with the nations And learned their works, And served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, And they shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their works, And played the harlot in their actions. (Ps 106:34-39 LSB)
Was God angry with Israel for their idolatry and punished them for it?
Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, And He loathed His inheritance. So He handed them over to the nations, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. Many times He would rescue them; They, however, were rebellious in their plan, And they sank down into their guilt. (Ps 106:40-43 NASB)
Even in punishment was God merciful? When we repent of sins, can we expect the same mercy from God?
Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy. Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord. (Ps 106:44-48 NIV)
What are we to learn from this history of Israel’s battles with sin?
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor 10:6-11 NKJV)
Will God be just as merciful to us if we confess our sins?
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
Though we may stumble into sin, will God mercifully forgive us upon repentance? You decide!
A Heavenly Land (Psalm 105)
Are we patiently faithful, waiting for a heavenly land of promise in eternity? Let’s begin in Psalm 105.
To whom do we give the greatest thanks? Do we discuss only worldly concerns or also tell of all His marvelous works?
Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (Ps 105:1-6 WEB)
Who is our God, money, power, materialism or the Lord? How important is the covenant with Abraham?
The Lord—he is our God. His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac. God set it up as binding law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel, promising, “I hereby give you the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” (Ps 105:7-11 CEB)
Though we may often be small in number, as the members of Abraham’s family once were, is God with us?
At the time there were only a few of us, and we were homeless. We wandered from nation to nation, from one country to another. God did not let anyone mistreat our people. Instead he protected us by punishing rulers and telling them, “Don't touch my chosen leaders or harm my prophets!” (Ps 105:12-15 CEV)
Even in hard times like a famine, can God use our difficulties to bless us long term?
When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; (Ps 105:16-18 ESV)
Was Joseph’s story from slave to ruler an encouragement as to how suddenly God can change our lives?
The king sent for him and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all his possessions—binding his officials at will and instructing his elders. (Ps 105:20-22 HCSB)
Did God have a purpose in Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, revealing Himself again in miracles?
Then Israel came to Egypt; indeed, Jacob lived in the land of Ham. He caused his people to multiply greatly; and be more numerous than their enemies. He caused them to hate his people and to deceive his servants. He sent his servant Moses, along with Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. (Ps 105:23-27 ISV)
What were some of those miracles that God performed in Egypt to free Israel?
He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. (Ps 105:28-31 KJV)
What other miracles did God perform in Egypt to force them to free Israel?
He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land. He also struck down their vines and their fig trees, And He shattered the trees of their territory. He spoke, and locusts came, And creeping locusts, without number, And they ate up all vegetation in their land, And they ate up the fruit of their ground. He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their vigor. (Ps 105:32-36 LSB)
What great blessings did Israel experience as they exited slavery? How can this picture the blessing of repentance and salvation for us today?
Then He brought the Israelites out with silver and gold, And among His tribes there was not one who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, For the dread of them had fallen upon the Egyptians. He spread out a cloud as a covering, And fire to illumine by night. They asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock and water flowed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy word With His servant Abraham; And He led out His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout. He also gave them the lands of the nations, So that they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor, And that they might keep His statutes And comply with His laws; Praise the Lord! (Ps 105:37-45 NASB)
Are we like the patriarchs who died before the land was given, waiting patiently for a promise of a better country in eternity?
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:13-16 NIV)
Are we patiently faithful, waiting for a heavenly land of promise in eternity? You decide!
To whom do we give the greatest thanks? Do we discuss only worldly concerns or also tell of all His marvelous works?
Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (Ps 105:1-6 WEB)
Who is our God, money, power, materialism or the Lord? How important is the covenant with Abraham?
The Lord—he is our God. His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac. God set it up as binding law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel, promising, “I hereby give you the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” (Ps 105:7-11 CEB)
Though we may often be small in number, as the members of Abraham’s family once were, is God with us?
At the time there were only a few of us, and we were homeless. We wandered from nation to nation, from one country to another. God did not let anyone mistreat our people. Instead he protected us by punishing rulers and telling them, “Don't touch my chosen leaders or harm my prophets!” (Ps 105:12-15 CEV)
Even in hard times like a famine, can God use our difficulties to bless us long term?
When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; (Ps 105:16-18 ESV)
Was Joseph’s story from slave to ruler an encouragement as to how suddenly God can change our lives?
The king sent for him and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all his possessions—binding his officials at will and instructing his elders. (Ps 105:20-22 HCSB)
Did God have a purpose in Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, revealing Himself again in miracles?
Then Israel came to Egypt; indeed, Jacob lived in the land of Ham. He caused his people to multiply greatly; and be more numerous than their enemies. He caused them to hate his people and to deceive his servants. He sent his servant Moses, along with Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. (Ps 105:23-27 ISV)
What were some of those miracles that God performed in Egypt to free Israel?
He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. (Ps 105:28-31 KJV)
What other miracles did God perform in Egypt to force them to free Israel?
He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land. He also struck down their vines and their fig trees, And He shattered the trees of their territory. He spoke, and locusts came, And creeping locusts, without number, And they ate up all vegetation in their land, And they ate up the fruit of their ground. He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their vigor. (Ps 105:32-36 LSB)
What great blessings did Israel experience as they exited slavery? How can this picture the blessing of repentance and salvation for us today?
Then He brought the Israelites out with silver and gold, And among His tribes there was not one who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, For the dread of them had fallen upon the Egyptians. He spread out a cloud as a covering, And fire to illumine by night. They asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock and water flowed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy word With His servant Abraham; And He led out His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout. He also gave them the lands of the nations, So that they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor, And that they might keep His statutes And comply with His laws; Praise the Lord! (Ps 105:37-45 NASB)
Are we like the patriarchs who died before the land was given, waiting patiently for a promise of a better country in eternity?
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:13-16 NIV)
Are we patiently faithful, waiting for a heavenly land of promise in eternity? You decide!
Creation (Psalm 104)
Do so many incredibly precise details about the world around us point to a remarkably powerful and intelligent designer and creator of it all? Let’s look at Psalm 104.
Do we bless the Lord with our whole being? Is God’s grandeur beyond our ability to comprehend?
Let my whole being bless the Lord! Lord my God, how fantastic you are! You are clothed in glory and grandeur! You wear light like a robe; you open the skies like a curtain. You build your lofty house on the waters; you make the clouds your chariot, going around on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers; you make fire and flame your ministers. (Ps 104:1-4 CEB)
Who designed and built the earth, the oceans, and the mountains?
You built foundations for the earth, and it will never be shaken. You covered the earth with the ocean that rose above the mountains. Then your voice thundered! And the water flowed down the mountains and through the valleys to the place you prepared. Now you have set boundaries, so that the water will never flood the earth again. (Ps 104:5-9 CEV)
Who designed and built the springs, beasts of the field and birds?
You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. (Ps 104:10-13 ESV)
Who designed and built the grass for livestock, crops for food, wine to make a man’s heart glad and bread for sustenance?
He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth, wine that makes man’s heart glad—making his face shine with oil—and bread that sustains man’s heart. (Ps 104:14-15 HCSB)
Who designed perfect habitations for the cedar, birds, wild goats and hyrax?
The loftiest trees are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted, the birds build their nests there, and the heron builds its nest among the evergreen. The high mountains are for wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badger. (Ps 104:16-18 ISV)
Who appointed the lunar month, the seasons, day and night?
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. (Ps 104:19-23 KJV)
How many details of God’s creation can we possibly even fathom?
How numerous are Your works, O Yahweh! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. This is the sea, great and broad, There the creeping things are without number, Creatures both small and great. There the ships move along, And Leviathan [a sea creature], which You have formed to play in it. (Ps 104:24-26 LSB)
Has God through a perfect creation provided food for all His creatures?
They all wait for You To give them their food in due season. You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good. You hide Your face, they are terrified; You take away their breath, they perish And return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground. (Ps 104:27-30 NASB)
Do we rejoice in the glory of God seen in His creation, the incredible design?
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. (Ps 104:31-32 NIV)
Do we sing to the Lord? Do we sing His praises? Do we think about God often?
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (Ps 104:33-35 NKJV)
Does Hebrews quote this Psalm in reference to the holy angels?
Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.” (Heb 1:7 NLT)
Do so many incredibly precise details about the world around us point to a remarkably powerful and intelligent designer and creator of it all? You decide!
Do we bless the Lord with our whole being? Is God’s grandeur beyond our ability to comprehend?
Let my whole being bless the Lord! Lord my God, how fantastic you are! You are clothed in glory and grandeur! You wear light like a robe; you open the skies like a curtain. You build your lofty house on the waters; you make the clouds your chariot, going around on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers; you make fire and flame your ministers. (Ps 104:1-4 CEB)
Who designed and built the earth, the oceans, and the mountains?
You built foundations for the earth, and it will never be shaken. You covered the earth with the ocean that rose above the mountains. Then your voice thundered! And the water flowed down the mountains and through the valleys to the place you prepared. Now you have set boundaries, so that the water will never flood the earth again. (Ps 104:5-9 CEV)
Who designed and built the springs, beasts of the field and birds?
You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. (Ps 104:10-13 ESV)
Who designed and built the grass for livestock, crops for food, wine to make a man’s heart glad and bread for sustenance?
He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth, wine that makes man’s heart glad—making his face shine with oil—and bread that sustains man’s heart. (Ps 104:14-15 HCSB)
Who designed perfect habitations for the cedar, birds, wild goats and hyrax?
The loftiest trees are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted, the birds build their nests there, and the heron builds its nest among the evergreen. The high mountains are for wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badger. (Ps 104:16-18 ISV)
Who appointed the lunar month, the seasons, day and night?
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. (Ps 104:19-23 KJV)
How many details of God’s creation can we possibly even fathom?
How numerous are Your works, O Yahweh! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. This is the sea, great and broad, There the creeping things are without number, Creatures both small and great. There the ships move along, And Leviathan [a sea creature], which You have formed to play in it. (Ps 104:24-26 LSB)
Has God through a perfect creation provided food for all His creatures?
They all wait for You To give them their food in due season. You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good. You hide Your face, they are terrified; You take away their breath, they perish And return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground. (Ps 104:27-30 NASB)
Do we rejoice in the glory of God seen in His creation, the incredible design?
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. (Ps 104:31-32 NIV)
Do we sing to the Lord? Do we sing His praises? Do we think about God often?
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (Ps 104:33-35 NKJV)
Does Hebrews quote this Psalm in reference to the holy angels?
Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.” (Heb 1:7 NLT)
Do so many incredibly precise details about the world around us point to a remarkably powerful and intelligent designer and creator of it all? You decide!
Bless the Lord (Psalm 103)
Are we the kind of people that give a church a bad name, judgmental gossips, or are we filled with compassion and kindness towards those who love the Lord and fear him? Let’s look at Psalm 103.
A Psalm of David. (WEB)
Do we bless, congratulate, or kneel down to praise the Lord?
Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (Ps 103:1-5 LSB)
Whereas humanity frequently fails the oppressed, how does God judge these things?
The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. (Ps 103:6 NASB)
Are we judgmental gossips in our churches, or like God, compassionate and gracious, not rushing to accuse His very imperfect people?
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps 103:7-12 NIV)
Rather than judgmentalism, do we show pity on those who fear God, remembering that we are all just dust?
As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Ps 103:13-14 NKJV)
Do we appreciate how short our lives are here on earth? Does the love of the Lord remain forever with those who fear him?
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! (Ps 103:15-18 NLT)
Do we praise God for His wonderful kingdom, for His word?
Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul! (Ps 103:19-22 WEB)
Is salvation a result of our good works, or are good works something we were created to walk in?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10 ESV)
Are we the kind of people that give a church a bad name, judgmental gossips, or are we filled with compassion and kindness towards those who love the Lord and fear him? You decide!
A Psalm of David. (WEB)
Do we bless, congratulate, or kneel down to praise the Lord?
Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (Ps 103:1-5 LSB)
Whereas humanity frequently fails the oppressed, how does God judge these things?
The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. (Ps 103:6 NASB)
Are we judgmental gossips in our churches, or like God, compassionate and gracious, not rushing to accuse His very imperfect people?
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps 103:7-12 NIV)
Rather than judgmentalism, do we show pity on those who fear God, remembering that we are all just dust?
As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Ps 103:13-14 NKJV)
Do we appreciate how short our lives are here on earth? Does the love of the Lord remain forever with those who fear him?
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! (Ps 103:15-18 NLT)
Do we praise God for His wonderful kingdom, for His word?
Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul! (Ps 103:19-22 WEB)
Is salvation a result of our good works, or are good works something we were created to walk in?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10 ESV)
Are we the kind of people that give a church a bad name, judgmental gossips, or are we filled with compassion and kindness towards those who love the Lord and fear him? You decide!
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