GOD’S WONDERFUL WORKS (1)

“Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His WONDROUS WORKS!” – Psalm 105:2

Psalm 105 calls God’s people to give Him thanks and praise in response to HIS WONDERS: “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His WONDROUS WORKS!” (Psa. 105:2). These first fifteen verses are also found in 1 Chronicles 16: 8-22 as David’s Call to Worship when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem! Essentially, the Psalm highlights God’s special work with His people, beginning with the covenant with Abraham and focusing on the exodus from Egypt and movement to the Promised Land. Although it was addressed to Israel, there is much that can be gleaned for us today. If we desire Joy rather than an ungrateful attitude, let’s follow the Psalmist’s counsel:

We must be ever grateful: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord!” (v.1a); the rest of the psalm presents many reasons for thanksgiving.

We should learn to sing to God: “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him” (v.2a). God’s people are told the importance of praising Him in song. The songs should be sung primarily to Him, and not to an audience or merely for one’s own pleasure.

We should let others know what God is doing in our lives and around us: “Make known His deeds among the people! …Talk of all His wondrous works!” (vv.1b-2). David recounted God’s amazing deeds in the sight of all peoples, and encouraged all who heard him to do the same. God’s people are meant to talk of all His marvellous and wonderful works.

We should show our gratitude by being appreciative: “Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!” (vs.3). We can actually glory in many things. Some glory in riches, wealth or status, while others glory in popularity, pleasure or entertainment. However, God’s people rightly find their greatest glory in His holy name.

We must strive to seek and follow the Lord’s leading: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” (v.4). The Message Bible says: “Keep your eyes open for GOD, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.” Seeking God implies watching for Him and His WORK each day as we go about life’s affairs. We pay attention to Him from the moment we awake to the moment we close our eyes at night. Seeking God also involves living intentionally with reliance upon Him. We must search for “His strength” by calling out to Him for help and allowing His Spirit to guide and empower us. We seek Him when we desire to honour Him with all of our lives, and not just observe religious routine. We’re to seek Him “evermore” – continually – by being open to His guidance, wisdom, and strength at all times, whether in the classroom or the boardroom!

Remember all of His great works (v.5a). There is the constant danger that God’s people would forget His wonderful works. People are far more ready to recollect foolish and evil things than to retain in their minds God’s glorious deeds. If we would keep His wonderful works in remembrance, our faith would be stronger, our gratitude warmer, our devotion deeper, our love more intense, and we’ll stand firmer in the truth of being untouchable to the enemy: “He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm” (vv.14-15).

We must not take God’s judgement for granted: “He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth” (v.7). We must never forget His marvellous covenant with the patriarchs, the blessings of which still apply to us today (vv. 8-15).

To follow these guidelines is a recipe for an uplifted and victorious life. We’ll find ourselves counting our blessings rather than the obstacles or problems. Now we can truly sing: “We give all the glory to Jesus and tell of His works, His wonderful works. We give all the glory to Jesus and tell of His wonderful works...”! We’ll always sing songs of God’s faithfulness, power, and Wonderful Works!