GOD CREATES

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, PARTICIPANTS WILL:

DESCRIBE God's creative power and provision; APPRECIATE the wonder of God's Creation; and PRAISE God for His blessings and provision. 

FOCAL VERSES PSALMS 104 : 5-9, v. 24-30

KEEP IN MIND VERSE 

"O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches" (Psalm 104:24)

AT-A-GLANCE

1. God orders (Psalm 104:5-9)

2. God works (vv. 24-26)

3. God provides (vv. 27-30)

IN FOCUS 

When Gale lost her job last year, her joy went with it. At first, she was happy to spend a couple of months with her children. Then she began her job search, expecting to be employed within a month. Thirteen months later, she was staring a pile of disconnection and collection notices. It seemed that the more she prayed, the worse her situation became. 

Since she couldn't pay her bills, she decided to taker her last five dollar bill to by a fast food value meal. 

Inside the restaurant, she ran into a former coworker who remembered Gale as "the Cake Lady." Gale used to share homemade cakes with the employees. The woman explained that her wedding was coming up and she was considering a $1,200 estimate from a cake designer she didn't know. She offered the job to Gale since she knew her work, then wrote a $600 check for a deposit. 

At that moment, Gale realized she'd been praying for a temporary fix for her problem, and God gave her a permanent solution. She went to her car, retrieved a folder full of cake orders forms, and handed some to the woman to pass out at work. Gale praised God on the way home for giving her the talent to make the money she needed. 

God has already given us everything we need. In today's lesson, we will praise God for resources available to us. 

BACKGROUND

It is possible that the Israelites were in captivity during the time Psalm 104 was written. Most people held against their will focus on the things the do not have - freedom, security, and happiness. While in bondage, captives complain, cry out to God, and shake their fists in anger. However, because some scholars attribute this psalm to David, the purpose would be different, for David lived long before the Israelites went into captivity. If David was indeed the author, he did just the opposite of raising his fists in anger when faced with difficult situations. In Psalm 104, he gave an account of the things that he knew could not be taken from him. He focused his attention on God's creation, emphasizing that it is God who creates, sustains, provides, and preserves. With Psalm 104, David affirms that God has provided all our needs through His creation. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Why did God set a bound over the waters (Psalm 104:9)?

2. What happens when God send forth His Spirit (v.30)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. How does this text illustrate God's creative power and provision?

2. Using the text, identify resources GOd made available to us though His creation. 

3. In the In Focus story, what assurance did Gale find?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

In a downturned economy, it is easy to focus on what we have lost, things we cannot obtain, and the hopelessness we might feel. In Psalm 104, David chose to focus on God's creation and the riches thereof. We will do well to challenge ourselves to identify resources we can use to produce what we need. Provision is all around us. 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

This week, challenge yourself to focus on what you have rather than on what you do not. Challenge yourself to see God the way David characterizes Him - bountiful, attentive, and open-handed. He has not forgotten you and your family. While you wait for Him, make daily gratitude lists and thank Him for what you do have. Then, pray for wisdom to use what you have to get what you need. 

(Except from the Apostolic Way)

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ON-LESSON