|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
May the glory of the Lord endure forever (Psalm 104:31a, ESV).
Glory means two things: Who God is and what God does! When we look upon the Lord, we reflect His glory by becoming what He is and then, being changed, doing what He does!
Psalm 104 describes God’s glory and how we can notice and reflect God’s glory. There isn’t a better Psalm for 2025.
God’s Glory: This Psalm has an amazing list of God’s attributes. It teaches us that God is great (v. 1), wise (v. 24), and generous (v. 27)! Also. . .
God is so great that He wears a robe for light (v. 2), has a palace in heaven above the clouds (v. 3), uses the clouds for His chariot (v. 3), has angels for servants (v. 4), and to our God, creating the earth was as easy as setting up a tent (vv. 2 and 6).
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! (v. 1)
How we notice God’s glory: Psalm 104 is attributed to King David. David was a shepherd and spent countless hours outdoors before becoming king, and he used his environment (his place of living) to find reasons to give God glory.
In this Psalm, we find images of wind, flames, tents, wings, mountains, streams, valleys, donkeys, birds, livestock, wine, trees, goats, rocks, night, lions, forests, the sea, whales, and ships — no less than twenty nature references.
King David found God where he lived, as he writes. . .
You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills (v. 10).
Most of us rarely spend time in nature.
So, I spent a few moments listing items in my office for which I could give God glory — heat, books, Bible, lights, family, peace, electricity, coffee!!!, money in the bank, a wife (a wonderful wife), Kindle, a chair to have devotions, a camera for Zooming missionaries, also a microphone, compressed air to clean my keyboard, Harvard Business Review magazine, mobile device, backup computer, and worship music playing in the background.
Admittedly, nature is a better instructor of God’s glory, which is why David wrote Psalm 104, and I can only write this Interruption. But how can we all be thankful and see God’s glory where we are right now?
Let’s notice God’s glory!
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all (v. 24).
Reflecting God’s Glory: Reflection comes from living in the presence of God. It means proximity to His Word and obedience to His will. Determined meditation will constantly bring us into the glory of God, and while reflecting, we will be changed; we can’t be in God’s presence without cheerful repentance.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
There are many things upon which we can meditate. Throughout our day, we think anxious, lustful, and pride-filled thoughts. Meditating on God’s Word becomes the singular path to God’s glory.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 104:34).
God’s glory enables us to be and to do the will of God.
Let’s reflect: Psalm 104 for 2025.
Amen. Peace out!