BIG IDEA:
ALL OF CREATION SHOWCASES THE GLORY AND PROVIDENCE OF ITS MAJESTIC RULER
INTRODUCTION:
(:1A) “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great”
cf. Liberty Showcase Theater = summer theater to showcase the talents of various amateur actors and actresses; our two youngest have been involved in a couple of productions
I. (:1-4) CREATION SHOWCASES THE TRAPPINGS OF ROYALTY
A. Light = Cloak
B. Heaven = Tent Curtain
C. Waters = Beams of His upper chambers
D. Clouds = Chariot
E. Wind = Wings to allow Him to navigate
F. Winds and Flaming Fire = His messengers / His ministers
(like thunder and lightning)
II. (:5-9) CREATION SHOWCASES THE LORD’S DOMINION
(He is the Master of the Universe; He exercises absolute control)
A. Dominion Over the Birth of the Earth
B. Dominion Over the Separation of Land and Sea
D. Dominion Over the Mountains and the Valleys
E. Dominion Over the Boundaries of the Seashores
III. (:10-17) CREATION SHOWCASES THE LORD’S PROVIDENCE
(Caring for His Creation)
A. (:10-13) Quenching of Thirst
B. (:14-17) Satisfying of Appetite
IV. (:18-23) CREATION SHOWCASES THE DIVINE ORDERING OF EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO APPOINTED ROLES
(Further demonstration of God’s Providence)
A. Role of the Mountains and Cliffs
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High Mountains = for the wild goats
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Cliffs = a refuge for the rock badgers
Comforting thought: if God in His Providence cares for these critters, how much more for us?
His eye is on the sparrow … I know He cares for me
B. Role of the Moon and the Sun
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the moon = for the seasons
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the sun = knows the place of its setting
C. Role of the Cycles of darkness/night and light/daytime
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darkness/night = the beasts of the forest and the young lions seek their prey = their food from God
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light/daytime = appointed for man to labor to obtain his food from God
V. (:24-26) CREATION SHOWCASES THE LORD’S PLEASURE IN HIS WORKS
A. Overview of God’s Works (:24)
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How many
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How impressive
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Reflect God’s Wisdom
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Reflect God’s Power
B. Specific Example = the Sea and all it Contains (:25-26)
“great and broad” — includes:
1. swarms of animals without number
both small and great
2. Ships that move thru the waters
3. Leviathan — “which Thou hast formed to sport in it”
VI. (:27-30) CREATION SHOWCASES THE DEPENDENCE OF EVERYTHING ON THE DISPOSITION OF THE LORD
“They all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season”
A. God May Choose to Provide
1. God’s Provision — gracious
“Thou dost give to them “
“Thou dost open Thy hand”
2. Man’s Physical Responsibility
“they gather it up” — cf. manna in the wilderness
3. Man’s Heart Response: “they are satisfied with good”
B. God May Choose to Withhold
1. God’s Withholding
“Thou dost hide Thy face”
“Thou dost take away their spirit “
2. Man’s Heart Response
“they are dismayed”
3. Man’s Physical Response
“they expire, and return to their dust”
C. God May Choose to Renew and Repeat the Cycle
1. God’s Initiative
“Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit “
2. God’s Creation
“They are created”
3. God’s Provision
“And Thou dost renew the face of the ground”
VII. (:31-35) CREATION SHOWCASES THE GLORY OF THE LORD
“Let the glory of the Lord endure forever”
A. The Lord Takes Pleasure in His Creation because it Manifests His Glory
“Let the Lord be glad in His works”
B. The Lord Exercises Dominion Over His Creation
“He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke”
C. We Should Praise the Lord and Take Pleasure in Him
1. Praise the Lord
“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live”
“I will sing praise to my God while I have my being”
2. Take Pleasure in Him
“Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
“As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord”
D. The Unrighteous are Destined for Extinction
“Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
And let the wicked be no more”
CONCLUSION:
(:35B) “Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!”