COME AND SEE GOD’S WORKS

“COME and SEE the WORKS of GOD; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men” – Psalm 66:5

Buttressing yesterday’s Capstone Capsule, we’re invited to “COME and SEE the WORKS of GOD; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men” (Psa.66:5). We’re to come and taste of the awesome miracles God performs for His people! This psalm celebrates God’s Glory as shown in His mighty works, a celebration that’s meant, not just for Jews, but for the whole earth: “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; make His praise glorious” (vv.1-2).

“Come” infers being invited to fully see and consider the works of the LORD. His great power is seen in His wonderful works; and He would have us to behold His work in creation and the elements of nature, including standing and gazing upon the vastness of the ocean. God is the One “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure” (Isa. 40:12a). The word ‘behold’ means “to gaze at, perceive, to contemplate.” This is more than a look or a fleeting glance. It is to observe and ponder the significance of what was beheld.

Consistently, God’s works speak of His power and glory! God made the towering mountains, and “weighed the mountains in scales” (Isa 40:12).  He causes it to rain, makes the lightning, and brings the wind out of His treasures (Jer. 10:13). “By the breath of God ice is given” (Job 37:10). “The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nah.1:3). The stars in the heavens testify to God’s greatness: “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psa.147:4).

The Psalmist’s enthusiasm for God’s Glory should remind us just how glorious He is. God has made His Glory known in the wonder of creation, in the beauty of life, and most of all through His saving deeds. Those who have not known the Lord can only perceive and praise His Glory through the evidences of His awesome works! That’s why the Psalmist opened the invitation to all peoples. This was followed with examples of God’s deeds, focusing most of all on the events of the Exodus (vv.6-12). The final verses of the psalm (vv.16-20) focus on what God did for the Psalmist himself. Our situations are not hopeless, and God has not forgotten to be good. Beholding His works reminds us that He is there and He is able.

Believers in Christ are in a similar position to the psalmist’s. We can point to what God has done in history, but most of all to His marvellous work in Jesus Christ. We bear witness to what God has done in our own lives, having experienced His grace through Christ. Without being arrogant, rude or crude, or trying to force our faith on others, we should testify to the truth, honestly and humbly pointing to God’s works in history and in our own lives. Our message is not, “You must believe this” but rather, “Come and see!” The invitation is much more convincing when we see a demonstration of God’s work in our lives. When the Church lives her faith and speaks the truth in love, then the world will be open to hearing what we have to say.

Gazing at and contemplating His handiwork strengthens our faith in God. We have a responsibility to say to others, “Come and see!” God desires that we be faithful and eager to invite those who don’t know Him to consider His works. We’re to live in such a way that people can see His power in us, and in turn declare: “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (v.16). All Praise and Glory be to the Lord, our wondrous God!