Weekly Devotional 23rd of August, 2024
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 23rd of August, 2024
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we will continue with Psalm 104 by an unknown author.
Psalm 104:10-15 – “10 He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; 11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. 14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.”
None of God’s creatures, including us, can survive without water. God provided for this need on the third day of creation, making the springs that run through the valleys and hills (v10). These refreshing fountains of life provide water for both people and animals. The psalmist specifically cited donkeys and birds as examples (v11–12). In doing so, he depicted a vivid image of God’s beautiful creation: wild donkeys sipping from a bubbling brook while the birds cheerfully sing from their nests in the branches of nearby trees (v11–12).
As we look out at nature, we still see ample evidence of this today and see the birds and animals thriving when water is in abundance. God provides water for the vegetation of the earth also. He waters the mountains with refreshing rains (v13). As the showers from the sky soak into the soil, the thirsty earth is satisfied by this invigorating gift from God’s gracious hand.
The terrible results when clean fresh water is not available become evident in a very short time. Although such a topic is beyond the purposes of this devotional, it is never the way God intended it to be so humanity must consider why such a shortage exists. Many wonderful developments in these areas have been made in the last one hundred years and all those that have contributed to this have made a huge contribution to this planet and those who live on it.
What this Psalm does assure us of is that every creature God has made is important to Him, and He has provided for each one through His works. As humans, we are most important to God, and He gave us authority over the rest of His creation (Genesis 1:26–27).
Believers in Jesus Christ are the special objects of His care, for we are God’s sons and daughters. He is our Heavenly Father, a Father who promises to provide for His children. Let’s consider that if God, as the ultimate Father, said in His Word that those who do not provide for their families are worse than unbelievers, think how much more He will provide for His children’s needs (1 Timothy 5:8)! We may face difficulties and times when we have little. Unemployment, famine, persecution, economic recessions, and other trials may leave us in need. At the other extreme, many have far more than they need. In either case, we should depend on God and not on ourselves, trusting Him to provide for us.
Of course, as a loving Father, He doesn’t just stop at our necessities. In His goodness, He deals still more bountifully with us by offering other goods which bring pleasure to us (V15). Although this is all amazing and should make us constantly thankful to Him, Jesus told us that these things should not be our key focus and nor should we abuse them.
He said,
Matthew 6:25 – “For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
As always, the Kingdom of God is the supreme focus of God, in the New Covenant, and all those who have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ should be doing all they can to be an expression of it.
May God bless you.
Bruce Billington