Posted: 11/19/04
LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 28
Tell everyone the good news–God is great
Psalm 145:3-5, 8-9, 11-21
By Angela Hamm
First Baptist Church, Lewisville
Psalm 145 shows us David's heart as he praised God for his mighty acts, which are told from one generation to another, for his gracious provision of an everlasting kingdom and for the gracious manner in which he responds to those who love him.
This psalm is the last psalm with David's name associated with it. The title of the psalm is a psalm of praise. It praises God's attributes and deeds. The psalm also contains tones of individual thanksgiving. One author writes, “It is magnificent in its beauty and almost breathtaking in its grandeur.”
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An interesting thing to note in this psalm is an alphabetical acrostic. David begins each verse with a different letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Long ago, before the invention of printing, texts had to be handwritten. Books were extremely expensive and rare. Acrostic psalms made memorization easier. Many Hebrew prayers and songs are acrostics.
Psalm 145:3-5
When we contemplate the greatness of God we find ourselves surrounded by mystery because the works of God can cause us to stand in awe. Romans 11:33 reads, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.”
The greatness of God is seen in his mighty works. We can see God's works in creation, in nature and in salvation. When we meditate on God's word and his works, we are able to think about what God is like, to think about what he has said and to remember what he has done. God has done great works in the past that will be passed on from generation to generation. A wonderful truth to embrace is knowing God continues to do great things for us, in us and through us that we need to share with others.
One of the important obligations of the older generation is to pass on to the younger generation the truth about God. God is so great we cannot explain him; however, we can love him and tell others how great he is. God's character and works give us enough material to share with others for a lifetime.
Psalm 145:8-9
While God is extremely powerful and awesome, he also is tender and attentive to the needs of his people. David reminds his readers of God's wonderful nature–kindness, mercy, slow to get angry, unfailing love, compassionate. These attributes show us the kind of God we serve and how he responds to us. God manifests himself in grace. God's tenderness is manifested through his works. Since God shows us his gracious nature, it should motivate us to show kindness, mercy, patience, unconditional love and compassion to others.
Psalm 145:11-21
God is God. He has no rivals, and we should live in light of this fact. David is telling us there is a direct link between our heart and our mouth. We speak what is in our own heart. If our hearts are full of the things of God, then we will not be able to stop talking about him to others.
A friend of mine says we should be so full of God that when we bump into others, our words will flow and our hearts will spill over with his love and grace. Our words are important. We have the opportunity to tell others about God, or we can be careless and do more harm than good by keeping silent.
God does not withhold any good thing from his children. David praises God for satisfying the hunger and thirst of every living thing. God's hands are overflowing with good things for us. When God supplies our needs, we must praise him. How can we keep silent in sharing these truths with others?
Think about it
Our God is great in everything he does. There is not a single area in which he does not excel. There is not a single thing in which he is not head and shoulders over the crowd. Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty! Our God is an awesome God.
During an earthquake some years ago, the people of a small village were scared and anxious, but at the same time they were surprised by the calmness and joy of a woman they all knew. A man asked the woman, “Are you not afraid?” “No,” the woman answered, “I rejoice to know that my God can shake the world.” Who in your life needs to know that you belong to a God who can shake the world?
Discussion questions
Name an individual who told you about God's greatness.
With whom have you recently shared God's greatness?
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