LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 7: Guard against becoming resistant to wonder_110104

Posted: 10/29/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 7

Guard against becoming resistant to wonder

Psalm 104:1-5, 13-15, 24, 27-30

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

This month's theme is: “What Creation Says About the Creator.” Four lessons will look at this theme from the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is perhaps the best known, best loved and most often read book in the Bible. Reading the Psalms is like reading someone's journal. The Psalms encompass a vast amount of material and is the longest book, in number of pages, in most English Bibles. The Psalms are quoted or alluded to more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament book. The Psalms are written in beautiful poetry. Many of these verses are unforgettable.

Psalm 104

Psalm 104 has a distinct theme. It describes one of the first gifts God gave us–creation. Psalm 104 is a sustained praise to God, celebrating and revering his worth. It is a look at the awesomeness of God. Walter Brueggemann describes this psalm as an extended celebration of the goodness and awesome character of the Creator.

In verses 1-4, the writer begins with a description of the manifestation of God's power. God stretched out the sky like a tent. He rides on the wind and the clouds. God established skies to cover the earth as a tent covers tent dwellers. He laid the foundation of beams above the water in the sky. God formed all the heavenly elements including the wind, the clouds and fire. By his power, God dwells within his creation.

Psalm 104:13-15 emphasizes God's care of all forms of life. God gives water to all the beasts and the birds. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers in the skies. God provides grass, plants and trees for the cattle, man and the birds. In his wisdom, God made the earth suitable for all forms of life.

The writer breaks into the psalm with praise: “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (v. 24). The writer senses the wonder and the reverence because it reflects the wisdom of its Creator. It is as if after rehearsing all of God's creative attributes, the writer is drawn to worship the God of all creation.

Psalm 104:27-30 now emphasizes how all creatures depend daily on God. God gives food at the proper time. He may open his hand or turn his face away. God gives life and takes life. Why? Because God is God and there is no one who compares to him.

God is awesome

Matt Redman writes: “Awe is reserved for God alone. It is the look of wonder and amazement that flows from one who has glimpsed God in his splendor. Face-down worshippers found throughout Scripture all have one thing in common: an awesome view of God.”

God is the master of the universe; he created it. He sustains it. He runs it. Creation by itself gives us all the motivation needed for worship. Worship is the furnace of the spiritual life. Our spiritual lives must be marked by the mystery and awe of God. We can never rush wonder.

A.W. Tozer writes, “No one who knows God intimately can ever be flippant in his presence.” When was the last time you looked at God and said: “God you are incredible. You are majestic and glorious and awesome!” Are you allowing yourself to be awed by God?

Most people will say they encounter God the most in nature. Nature seems to be the clearest and most accessible window for experiencing God. There is something about nature which draws us close to God.

Let's be attentive to creation. Why not spend some time focusing on the awesomeness of God in creation: take a walk, work in the garden, listen to the birds, look at the moon, watch a sunset. Stand or sit in silent awe, praising God with your heart and rejoicing in his creation. We praise and honor God when we respect, honor and enjoy creation.

A word of warning: If we are not careful, we may become indifferent to the wonder of creation. As things become more familiar to us, they seem to lose their greatness and wonder. For example, last year I was in a hotel dining room overlooking Lake Louise and the Canadian Rockies. I was in awe of the beauty. I commented to my server that his work provided him with an awesome view of God's creation. I said, “I bet you cannot wait to come to work every day so you can enjoy this wonderful view.” He replied: “Oh, I have gotten used to it. It is not that big of a deal.”

As I continue to think about my server's comment, I realize many believers reflect the same attitude. As things become familiar to us, they seem to lose their greatness and wonder; we become indifferent to the wonder of creation and the awareness of God. When life becomes routine we become resistant to wonder. May we never become resistant to wonder.

Discussion questions

Describe an awestruck moment in your life.

Are you resistant to wonder?