'Creation' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.” vs. 34 Psalm 104:30-34 The psalmist believed that all living creatures were a part of a constantly changing, always evolving circle of life. Creation wasn’t a once-for-all time event. Rather it occurred on a daily basis as the spirit of God breathed life into what had died and renewed the face of the earth. Death and the return to dust is never God’s…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” vs. 24 Psalm 104:24-28 When we read the foundational writings of our faith community, it is easily seen that our ancestors recognized that there was one God who had brought all things into existence. Mountains, plains, oceans, sun, moon and stars, together with living creatures of all kinds all have their origins in God, the one the Israelites knew…
Daily Devotions
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” vs. 13 Revelation 5:11-14 When we read the book of Revelation our little minds are overstimulated by John’s visionary account of heavenly happenings, and it’s easy to get caught up in apocalyptic thinking.…
Daily Devotions
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” vss. 1-2 Psalm 19:1-6 The psalmist had an advantage over most of us. In his time, there was no smog to obscure vision in the day, and no light pollution at night. No wonder he’s ecstatic about sky-watching–every time he looked up, day or night he grew in his knowledge of God. Everything he…
Daily Devotions
‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” vs. 8 Revelation 1:6-8 This phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” pretty much sums up everything that we know and believe about the universe and human existence. Many believe that God is all that is and more–and if that is true, then all things have their beginning and ending in God, and that of course…
Daily Devotions
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” vss. 3-4 Psalm 8:1-4 This psalmist was a thinker! He was likely well aware of the creation stories and accepted that the Lord had brought all things into existence. But the improbability of what he believed was more than his little mind could comprehend.…
Daily Devotions
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.” vss. 15-16 Psalm 145:15-18 The psalmist certainly had a benevolent view of God and credited the Lord for providing abundantly for every living thing. On the surface that’s a nice thought, and there are times when we will gladly echo those words of praise and thanks. And we should! There is gracious support…
Daily Devotions
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.” vs. 10 Psalm 145:10-13 Even the most nationalistic of the psalmists knew that the kings of Israel and Judah, no matter how rich or powerful, were nothing when compared to the Lord of the Universe. National rulers may sputter and fume, strutting for the masses in their fifteen seconds of fame, but only God deserves our thanks and our blessings. It really is…
Daily Devotions
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” vss. 4-5 Job 38:4-11 The writer shows the Lord reverting to sarcasm in his response to Job’s laments, implying that Job didn’t know squat when it came to the creation of the earth. It’s an amusing section and points to the basic deficiency we humans have when it comes to…
Daily Devotions
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!” vs. 35 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Psalm 104 is a beautiful song of praise to the creation. Verse 24 describes its intent well, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” The psalmist knows that God has created all things and that the spirit of…
Daily Devotions
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” vs. 4 Psalm 98:1-4 We’re not sure what triggered the psalmist’s extravagant hymn of praise to the Lord–it was likely some celebration of God’s special relationship to the house of Israel. But what catches our attention is his sense of the close connection between the Lord and the creation. We get that same feeling every year as we continue our celebration of…
Daily Devotions
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” vs. 14 Psalm 139:13-18 Whether we’re evolutionists or creationists, when we take time to reflect on the wonders of our existence and the intricacies of our environment, we’re almost bound to join the psalmist in his hymn of praise. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and our bodies have been knit together in a spectacular fashion. When a child is born,…