Scripture: “For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.” – Psalm 92:4
Examination of chapter: This psalm of praise is one that those who know the Lord can sing! David writes that those who don’t know the Lord will never know the benefits of a good and loving God, but those who have placed their faith and trust in Him will flourish and be fruitful throughout their lives.
Application: I’m sitting in a very quiet campground overlooking a sparkling blue lake thinking about the goodness of God. There is a gentle breeze blowing, creating a soft whisper among the verdant green leaves of the trees. Off in the distance, I hear the rapid tap-tap-tap of a woodpecker. The scent of a morning campfire wafts through the air, and I close my eyes enjoying the entire experience.
Imagine if God had done things differently. After all, we don’t really need our senses to exist. Think about what it would be like to live in a monochromatic world. Everything would be shades of gray; our lives would be like a black and white photograph. What if birds no longer sang or the wind’s movement didn’t rustle leaves? How would it be if roses had no fragrance or the smell of baking bread no longer filled a kitchen? Imagine a world with no smells, no colors, no beautiful sounds of nature…
But God, in His goodness, gave us five senses to enjoy our earthly lives more than we could imagine. The vivid hues of red and yellow in the dancing flames of a blazing campfire. The brilliant yellow feathers of a goldfinch perched on a nearby branch. The distant honking of a Canadian goose winging its way across the sky. The scent of bacon frying in the pan. The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. The warmth of the sun on my face. When God created the world, He made it amazingly incredible to experience through our senses. Genesis 1:31 affirms this, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Today is a good day to lift our hands to the Lord and praise Him for all He has done! “O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” (Psalm 92:5)
There is so much about my life that God has made beautiful beyond what my senses reveal to me. But for today, I will thank Him for what I see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Thank You, Lord, for making my world more than it could have ever been had You not desired to give me a glimpse of what heaven will be like one day.
Memory Verse: “Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” – Job 37:14
Stretching your thoughts:
1. What have you sensed today for which you can praise God that normally would have gone unnoticed?
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens, each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,
The sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden: He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
(from “All Things Bright and Beautiful” by Cecil Frances Alexander)