No Capricious Creation

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1-9

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
    by understanding he established the heavens.” Proverbs 4:19

“It is he who made the earth by his power,
    who established the world by his wisdom,
    and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.” Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15

The psalmist’s heart is overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for His magnificent creation and activity through history. He sees them as an ongoing act of steadfast love, the essence of God and the impulse, motivation, and signature of everything He has made. The more he observes, the brighter God’s benevolent care shines and the deeper his praise in response. (1 John 4:8)

The triune God is as orderly and powerful and purposeful as He is creative. From chaos to exquisite universe, His steadfast love for His people pulses. Designing and crafting man for meaningful industry and relationships, He prepared his world in minute, colorful, and systematic detail, and continues to interact with it through hours and seasons to bring about His divine plans. Fully knowing our low and helpless estate, He perfectly executed our deliverance. The rightful response of His creatures, who are loved beyond measure, is to give Him unceasing thanks! (Genesis 1:1-28,31; Psalm 136:10-26; Proverbs 8:27-31)

Would that we regularly take time to marvel at God’s creation! He has made all things well and beautiful for our delight. His world is designed to teach us about Him, and life, and to satisfy physical need. (Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 6:6-8; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Amos 4:7-9; Matthew 6:25-34)

What have we observed recently that heightened our wonder at the Creator? What common sense have we gleaned and employed? What in God’s world delights our souls unto praise?

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,
join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.” ~Joachim Neander (1680)

Creator, may I ever adore You!