The Work of God

Psalm 111

What comes to your mind when you think about the works of the Lord? Does your mind go to the expanse of the universe full of stars and galaxies? Perhaps you think of the amazing landscapes found all over the earth. Maybe you think about the creation account in Genesis of God making all that is out of nothing. Let me suggest to you that we may limit the works of the Lord to only the great expansive aspects of creation while forgetting what He is doing in our lives.

Psalm 111:2 says Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. When was the last time you really considered what God was doing in your life: in your heart, your community, your family, your world. Our passage says that those who delight in what God is doing study His works. It struck me that most of the time I am going too fast through my life to even consider that God is purposefully and directly working, must less to study what He is doing. I know that God is always “at work,” but most of the time it doesn’t feel personal and intimate.

So how can we recognize the work of the Lord? How can I see what He is up to? Verse 3 tells us His work is honorable and glorious. Only God has the power to accomplish His purposes in your life. Verse 4 says He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. God’s work is not something trite or insignificant. There is an eternal implication in all of God’s works because God has made His works to be remembered. Verse 7 says that The works of His hands are verity (truth) and justice. God’s work is always true and right. So we can gather that God’s works are done with God’s power. They are eternally significant, and they are morally just.

The Psalm gets more personal than the description of God’s work. Verse 3 says And His righteousness endures forever. We must remember that God is righteous in all that He does, and if we are to be counted as those who love God, then we must love God’s righteousness and hate our sin. We are able to enter God’s righteousness as beloved children instead of enemies because verse 4 says The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. It is the grace and compassion of God that compelled Him to save us. Not only has God saved us, but He is at work to give His children preferential treatment. God’s best is for those who belong to Him not just anyone living. Psalm 111:6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. Finally, God’s work in our lives is in accordance with the promises in His word. Even God operates by the book—His book. He is reliable. All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever.

When we study the work of the Lord as it relates to our lives we should respond with the Psalmist in complete worship. Holy and awesome is His name!