Earth (1) – GOD’S Work of Creation
This is lesson one (1) in a two-part study entitled “And It Was Good.”
Our focus scripture is Psalm 104:1-5, 24-30.
Verse 1 – lays the foundation that GOD was the Master Designer and Creator of all that humans encounter around them, as such, only GOD is to be worshipped and not the things HE created.
Lesson 1 – Genesis 1:3 – light – 104: 2
Lesson 2 – Genesis 1:6 – heavens and waters – 104:2-3
Lesson 3 – Genesis 1:9-13 – land and vegetation – 104:6-18
Lesson 4 – Genesis 1:14-16 – sun, moon and stars – 104:19-23
Lesson 5 – Genesis 1:20-23 – fish and birds – 104:25-26
Lesson 6 – Genesis 1:24-31 – animals, man, and food to sustain them – 104:21-24, 27-30
GOD is sovereign and in control of all things. It begins with “my soul” which indicates that the writer acknowledges his need for GOD and GOD meets his need in a personal way through relationship. The use of “soul” means his entire being praises “Yahweh,” his GOD. The writer has such a relationship with GOD that he reveals what he has learned from that relationship regarding creation. Creation was the result of GOD’S Master Design and HE did not just create it but cares for it to maintain it.
Let’s read Psalm 104:1-5:
1 My soul, praise • Yahweh! Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with majesty and splendor. 2 He wraps Himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, 3 laying the beams of His palace on the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, 4 and making the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. 5 He established the earth on its foundations; it will never be shaken.
The writer referred to GOD as “clothed with majesty and splendor” which refers to dignity and impressive presence. GOD is “light” and in HIM there is no shadow of turning because HE is the source of truth and light. GOD is not fickle like the manmade gods some people worship. GOD uses the elements to sustain life upon earth and to reveal to mankind that HE is in charge. HE speaks through HIS creation to mankind.
GOD placed earth in the exact spot to sustain life. Science confirms that earth is in the exact spot with the exact ratio of sunlight, atmosphere, water and reproducible food to sustain life. GOD created it and maintains it. If that perfect position is ever changed it will be GOD that changes it because HE established its foundations. The earth is HIS and all that is in it.
These verses and those to follow reflect both poetry and words which can be sung regarding GOD creating earth, sustaining it, its inhabitants and revealing Himself to mankind. Earth and life are no accident, GOD created it all for a purpose and HIS desire is for mankind to acknowledge HIM and ultimately HIS redemptive love for mankind through faith in HIS only Son, JESUS.
Let’s read Psalm 104:6-23:
6 You covered it (earth) with the deep as if it were a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— 8 mountains rose and valleys sank— to the place You established for them. 9 You set a boundary they cannot cross; they (waters) will never cover the earth again. 10 He causes the springs to gush into the valleys; they flow between the mountains. 11 They supply water for every wild beast; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the sky live beside the springs; they sing among the foliage. 13 He waters the mountains from His palace; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of Your labor. 14 He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth, 15 wine that makes man’s heart glad— making his face shine with oil— and bread that sustains man’s heart. 16 The trees of the Lord flourish, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. 17 There the birds make their nests; the stork makes its home in the pine trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for hyraxes. 19 He made the moon to mark the festivals; the sun knows when to set. 20 You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals stir. 21 The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. 22 The sun rises; they go back and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until evening.
The psalmist reveals the personal involvement GOD had in creation and its functionality and care. Earth was not an accident but purposely designed, implemented and continues to be cared for by GOD.
Let’s read Psalm 104:24-26:
24 How countless are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. 25 Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. 26 There the ships move about, and • Leviathan (a sea creature), which You formed to play there.
GOD created all for a purpose including the large sea creature called the Leviathan. In ancient legends, the Leviathan was a sea creature that fought with the gods. In the Bible, the Leviathan is depicted as an enemy of GOD. In this scripture, the Leviathan is depicted as GOD’S creation, which is not to be feared because it is under GOD’S control.
This draws us back into the fact that GOD is sovereign and in control of all things. HE imparts HIS wisdom to HIS children to deal with all matters no matter how frightening they may be. All living things, including mankind, depend upon GOD maintaining earth. Can man change the weather patterns? No! But we see the importance of weather patterns upon where we live and the production of food.
Let’s read Psalm 104:27-30:
27 All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time. 28 When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 29 When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. 30 When You send Your breath, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.
GOD is sovereign and takes care of all living things including people.
The Bible is clear; there is a time to be born and a time to die. We are living in the time GOD has appointed for us, who are living, to experience life upon earth. It is every person’s opportunity to accept or reject CHRIST as his or her Savior.
Between birth and death is time. Keep in mind that mankind was not created for time but for eternity. Time upon earth is mankind’s opportunity to discover GOD and HIS redemptive plan of eternal life through faith in CHRIST. Salvation is the beginning process of building an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST. Through our relationship with CHRIST, GOD is revealed and understood.
Every living thing depends upon GOD to provide their physical food and in doing so HE reveals Himself. The use of the word “breath” means “Spirit.” HIS desire is for all to acknowledge HIM by accepting CHRIST as their Savior. When a person dies, his or her spirit leaves his or her body goes into eternity and the physical body returns to dust. Those who place their faith in CHRIST receive the free gift of eternal life through the miracle of rebirth. Their natural spirit is transformed by the Spirit of GOD and they become GOD’S Son or Daughters. They will spend eternity with HIM and JESUS in Heaven.
The psalmist reveals his heart toward GOD in this psalm. If you were to write a psalm reflecting your journey and discovery of GOD and CHRIST, what would it be? I challenge you to write your psalm.
The psalmist sums up his psalm:
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works. 32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they pour out smoke. 33 I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. 35 May sinners vanish from the earth and wicked people be no more. My soul, praise Yahweh! • Hallelujah!
Since the psalmist wrote this psalm, the promised Messiah, JESUS, has come to earth and HE revealed GOD in the flesh. Place your faith in CHRIST, receive salvation and discover the awesomeness of being GOD’S child. Start your journey building a loving, intimate, personal relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST.