November 28, The God of Creation

Today’s reading: Psalms 136-140

“Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights—His love endures forever” - Psalm 136:5-7.

A recurring reference in the entire Book of Psalms is the creation story from Genesis 1 and 2. Why is that? Keep in mind that many of the psalms were written when the author was in some kind of trouble. Then the psalms were edited and given their final order and format during the Babylonian Exile, when Israel was far from home, wondering when God was going to restore their Land and national identity. In the midst of personal and national trouble, the community of faith encouraged itself with the reminder of God’s great power as evidenced in His creative acts to establish the universe. They correctly concluded that if God could make all they could see around them, then He was capable of acting on their behalf to change things for the better. Perhaps you need a similar dose of their thinking. Look around you today, and consider all the works of nature and creation. They were all made by the God you serve, the same God who loves you and has made wonderful promises to you, some of which may seem light years away at this point in your life. Can you encourage yourself today like the psalmist did? Can you make the transition from knowing that God can do anything to the confidence that God can do — and will do — anything for you?