September 10, 2006 | Author: Cyndee Van Winkle

See His Creation and Praise Him

“I will give thanks to thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14

Study Overview

In Psalm 139 we have an overwhelming sense of the infinite greatness of God, an awareness that sweeps over us, leaving us amazed and astonished.  As we consider the immensity of His greatness, we know too that he knitted us in our mother’s womb, and He wants to be intimately involved in a personal relationship with us.

What we think about God and our relationship to Him determines what we think about everything else in the world around us.  David wrote for us a psalm whose message can only encourage us to be in a right relationship with God.  Can we respond in any other way than by worshipping Him?

Read Psalm 139

God knows us intimately (1 – 6)

He knows our actions, our locations, our thoughts, our words, our ways, and our motives.  But even more, He knows what is best for us and guides us in that way.  We should be overwhelmed by the height and depth of God’s knowledge and be thankful that He knows us perfectly.

God is with us constantly (7 – 12)

The thought of an all-knowing God may fill us with uneasiness.  If God knows all about us, perhaps we should hide, as did Adam and Eve and Jonah.  But God’s hand will catch us and tenderly lead us, for we cannot hide even in the darkness, because even the darkness is light to God.  God wants to walk with us and guide us because His plan for us is perfect.

God made us wonderfully (13 – 18)

God formed each of us from our very first moments in our mother’s womb.  We were knitted, woven and embroidered.  All of the days God planned for each of us were written in His book before even one of them came to be.

God judges righteously (19 – 24)

David says he wants nothing to do with evil or evil persons because perhaps he cannot trust himself in evil company.  So he appeals to God to search his heart, know his anxieties and concerns, forgive him, and lead him in a righteous way and an everlasting way.

Discussion

What would happen if we each prayed, as David did, for these things?

1. For God to search us, know us, and expose our thoughts?
2. For God to bring us to obedience and make our thoughts perfect?
3. For God to purge away whatever evil desires remain in us?
4. For God to lead us in a perfect and everlasting way?

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1. Think of several community organizations or community projects that you and your family could participate in during the next two months. 
2. List specific activities you could offer to help with, as the opportunities for good works that God has prepared in advance for you to do.

According to Psalms, the Lord did more than design and form our bodies; He also planned and determined our days, including our length of life (Job 14:5).  What we are and what God has planned for us come from God’s loving heart, and His plans are the very best He has for us.

Romans 12:2 (NAS) - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is – that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

1. What are some specific ways you would plan to renew your mind?
2. What music would you listen to on your iPod, radio, tape, or CD?
3. What television programs, movies or DVDs would you watch?
4. What books or magazines would you read?
5. What Internet sites would you visit?
6. Which friends, neighbors or co-workers would you choose to spend time with and talk with?
7. What Bible verses would you choose to memorize?
8. Do you have a mentor?  Are you a mentor to someone else?

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us and we are His.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above.  Praise Him all His angels, praise Him all His heavenly hosts.  Praise Him sun and moon, praise Him all you shining stars.  Praise Him you highest heavens and all you waters above the skies.  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  He set them in place forever and ever.  He gave a decree that will never pass away.

Assignment