God’s goodness is woven into the warp and woof of creation. All of God’s works, both in creation and in all that He does with creation, are works of goodness and of mercy to His people. Psalm 136 makes this so clear – beginning with God’s works in creation in all its parts, and then in His works within all parts of His creation.[1]
Nothing is too quaint for God’s consideration. God is personally involved in the smallest details of His creation, even the grass growing (Psalm 104:14).
Nothing is so powerful that it is outside of God’s control. He controls everything on a grand scale (Psalm 104:1-4). He sets the foundations and the boundaries, commanding the heights as well as the depths (Psalm 104:5-9).
Refreshment comes from God. By His work every animal is fed – by His wisdom every stream flows – by His abundance every fountain gushes – by His music every bird sings, and in His goodness they find their nests (Psalm 104:10-13).
God gives satisfaction to all His creatures. God in His splendor is the founder of the civilizations of mankind, the Author of the foundations of society (Psalm 104:14-15).
God gives growth and order to His growing things so that His creatures would have their homes in peace, security, and rest (Psalm 104:16-18).
The God whose clothes are light, whose tent are the heavens, whose chariot is the clouds, whose messengers are winds – that God feeds all creatures at the proper time, grows all living things in due season, and gives all living things life to live (Psalm 104:19-23).
God creates the greatest sea creatures to live in the sea, God sustains the mightiest ships that sail upon the sea, He has them as His pets, and delights to see them play in the waters (Psalm 104:24-26).
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground (Psalm 104:27-20).
God is glorified by all creation depending on Him, and He rejoices in providing for it all. The grass springs up to heaven for His grace, the trees spread out their limbs to catch His sun on their leafy hands, the birds sing for the light of day, the crawling creatures find their homes by His design, the dolphins dance on the waves for the delight of His pleasure – all creatures look to Him for their life and good, and He is sovereign over them.
No sparrow is forgotten by God (Luke 12:6). And if God remembers all these, how much more does He remember you (Luke 12:7), for whom all these things exist?
God uses everything He has made for the good of His children. He sustains the universe for the sole purpose of drawing sinners near to Himself in salvation. He delights in His special creation delighting in Him, and He delights in being their God, the fountain of all of their goodness (Psalm 104:34).
The wicked remain far from the LORD, refusing to come to Him to trust Him as their God, and find Him to be their Father in Christ. All who come to Him trust Him as their God and Savior, and find that He is pleased by their faith. In this way, all of creation glorifies God.
For more on this theme, listen to Rico Tice’s sermon on Psalm 104, “The Lord of Provision” here. Or read these articles: “God’s Glory in Creation, According to Jonathan Edwards.” “God’s Glory in Creation, According to John Calvin.”
[1] Paraphrase of Jonathan Edwards – Jonathan Edwards (n.d.). The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume One. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Grand Rapids, MI. p. 842.
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