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544_Meditating on the great works of God

Psalm 111 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

Many years ago, the scientist Louis Pasteur—famous for his discoveries that saved countless lives—was once asked how he managed to stay humble despite his brilliance. He replied, “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God.”

Pasteur was not a preacher, yet he captured the essence of true worship: to look closely at creation and see God’s hand behind it. The more we meditate on His works, the more our hearts fill with awe and gratitude. That’s exactly what Psalm 111 calls us to do.

The psalm begins with an outburst of thanksgiving: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” The psalmist is not whispering private praise but proclaiming God’s greatness in the midst of His people. His heart overflows because his mind is filled with memories of what God has done. This psalm is a celebration—a call to remember and reflect on the mighty works of God in creation, history, and redemption.

In verse 2 we read, “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” That word studied is striking. God’s works are not meant to be glanced at quickly or forgotten—they are meant to be pondered, explored, and delighted in. Meditation is not just a spiritual exercise; it is the joyful study of God’s handiwork.

Anyone who studies creation with an open heart will find the fingerprints of God everywhere. The heavens declare His glory, the stars move with mathematical precision, the earth teems with life in perfect balance. Every breath we take, every sunrise we see, speaks of His wisdom and care. Through creation, we glimpse His faithfulness and His righteousness that endures forever.

But God’s works are not only seen in nature; they are seen in His dealings with His people. Verse 5 says, “He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.” The God who created galaxies also provides daily bread for His children. His greatness is not distant—it is personal, tender, and faithful.

Psalm 34 echoes the same truth: “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” In other words, those who trust in God will never be forgotten. He is a faithful Provider who remembers His promises.

The psalmist also recalls how God displayed His power and justice in history. The Israelites saw it when He delivered them from Egypt and gave them the promised land. Nations mightier than them fell because the Lord fought for them. His hand was mighty, His covenant sure. Verses 7 and 8 declare, “The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

God’s actions are never random. His works are consistent with His Word. His commands are trustworthy because they flow from His character. What He has spoken stands firm forever. His works, His words, His promises—all are bound together in faithfulness and truth.

Yet the greatest of all God’s works is not in creation or conquest, but in redemption. Verse 9 says, “He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name!”

When God created the world, He spoke—and it came to be. But when He redeemed humanity, He did something infinitely greater: He sent His Son. Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to suffer and die so that we might live. The Creator entered His own creation to rescue it from the curse of sin. On the cross, the greatest work of all time was completed. His name—Jesus—means “He will save His people from their sins.”

If creation reveals God’s power, the cross reveals His heart. The One who shaped galaxies stretched out His hands on a wooden cross to bring us home. Redemption is the crown jewel of God’s works—holy and awesome indeed is His name.

When we meditate on these things—when we truly pause and reflect—it should fill us with reverence. The psalm concludes, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”

The “fear of the Lord” is not a cringing dread but a reverent awe. It is the recognition that God is holy, righteous, and infinitely good—and that our lives are meant to honor Him. This reverent fear is the beginning of wisdom, because it aligns our hearts with reality. It teaches us humility, dependence, and obedience.

When we live with this kind of holy awe, it changes how we make decisions. We stop asking, “Is this convenient?” and start asking, “Is this pleasing to God?” Wisdom is not just knowing what is right but doing what honors Him. Those who walk in this fear learn to see God’s hand in everything.

Meditating on the works of God produces both peace and praise. The more we think on His faithfulness, the less room there is for anxiety. The more we see His order in creation and His mercy in redemption, the more we trust Him in our daily lives.

Jesus Himself pointed us to this truth when He said, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). The same God who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field knows your needs and cares for you.

All around us, His works declare His greatness. The rain that falls, the seasons that change, the steady laws of nature—all point to a faithful Creator who holds all things together. And above all, the cross reminds us that His greatest work was to redeem us and make us His own.

In heaven, the angels continually gaze upon the greatness of God and never tire of praising Him. They cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” How much more should we, who have been redeemed, lift our hearts in praise?

Meditating on the works of God is not just something we do on Sundays—it is a way of life. It means seeing His hand in the ordinary: in the beauty of a sunrise, in the kindness of a friend, in the quiet answers to prayer. It means remembering His faithfulness when we face trials. When life feels uncertain, we can look back and say, “The works of His hands are faithful and just.”

This kind of meditation brings rest to the soul. It draws our minds away from worry and toward worship. It reminds us that the same God who made the heavens holds our lives securely in His hands.

Perhaps today you feel weighed down by cares—by fear, by uncertainty, by need. Hear the comforting invitation of Scripture: “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” The God who upholds the universe is not too busy to uphold you. His works are not only grand in scale but tender in detail. He knows your name. He knows your pain. And He is at work for your good.

So take time—today, and every day—to meditate on His great works. Step outside and look at His creation. Open His Word and remember His faithfulness. Fix your heart on the cross, where His love was displayed most clearly. Let your heart be filled with gratitude until praise becomes as natural as breathing.

The God who created the stars and parted the seas is the same God who walks with you through every valley. He provides, He remembers, He redeems, and He reigns. His works are great, His mercy is everlasting, and His praise endures forever.

Let us join the psalmist and the saints through the ages in saying with all our hearts: “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.”

May our lives be a continual song of meditation and praise—a daily reminder that our God is great, His works are marvelous, and His love endures forever. God bless.