All Because of God


Psalm 104:24-35

The things of life are ever-changing. Babies are born, they grow up through the toddler years to school-age children to teenagers to graduates. So many new experiences in there for the children and for the parents. Before long those children might get married and have children of their own; and the cycle begins again. People who once were graduates become parents who become grandparents who become great-grandparents. All throughout this cycle there are ups and downs, successes and failures, bad days and good days. We celebrate the good and we endure the bad.
Even as we are in the midst of all of these experiences, though, we remember that God is the one who holds them all in his hands. This psalm covers the vast expanses of life as it considers how God presides over everything. God made the things of the earth, both those on the ground and those in the depths of the vast oceans (104:24-25). God provides the food at the proper time for all of the creatures which he has made (104:27). We can see that these are the good things of life, but God also resides over the bad. There are times of dismay, which the psalmist likens to when God hides his face; and of course, death comes to the creatures of the earth (104:29). We dread those bad things, but we ought to take comfort in knowing that God has control even then. Greater still is the fact that he can recreate and renew his creation (104:30).
We have so much to celebrate and so much for which we can give thanks. As we enjoy this time of rejoicing, let us remember to direct our praise and thanksgiving to God in the midst of it all because it all is because of him. He is our great and mighty God who has done great things for us. Although the things of our lives are temporary and each day gives way to the next, the Lord endures forever (104:31). He is worthy of our praise! -TL

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