LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 14: The Creator rules the whole of his handiwork_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 14

The Creator rules the whole of his handiwork

Psalm 33:6-17, 20-2

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

The very nature of God is reason for praise. Charles Spurgeon writes: “To rejoice in temporal comforts is dangerous, to rejoice in self is foolish, to rejoice in sin is fatal, but to rejoice in God is heavenly. He who would have a double heaven must begin below to rejoice like those above.”

To set the foundation for this week's lesson, may we be reminded of four of God's attributes: (1) God is all-knowing. He knows everything about everything. There is nothing which escapes his knowledge. (2) God is all-powerful. He has power over creation, and nothing is beyond his power. (3) God is sovereign. He rules over all creation, including everything and everyone. (4) God never changes. He is the same as he was at the time of creation.

A young boy was waiting for his family after church. The pastor saw him standing around and struck up a conversation. Noticing the boy had just come from Bible study, the pastor thought he would ask him a question to see what he was learning. The pastor said, “Young man, if you can tell me something God can do, I'll give you a big, shiny apple.” Thoughtfully the boy replied, “Sir, if you can tell me something God can't do, I'll give you a whole box of apples.”

Psalm 33 reminds us that God rules over every facet of creation. All authority belongs to him. There is nothing above God. There is nothing God cannot do. He is the master of everything. It is difficult to grasp the power of God, yet Psalm 33 provides us some insight to God's character and power.

God's sovereign rule

Psalm 33:6-9 reveals God's power with respect to nature. God spoke, and the heavens, the earth and all it contains were created. God alone has creative sovereign power.

God's sovereignty rules over the totality of his creation. God is the grand designer of our world and universe–all we see is from his hand. His power is seen throughout creation. McEachern writes, “God's creative power inspires reverence and awe among mankind.”

We should stand in awe of God the Creator because he formed all that exists out of nothing with “absolute effortlessness.”

In verses 10 through 12, we see God's sovereign power in history. God's purposes stand no matter what people make an effort to do. God monitors all of the activity of the earth. He is an active and watchful ruler. God not only made the world, but he continues to care about it.

Psalm 33:13-19 develops the concept of God's omniscience. God alone has the all-seeing perspective from the heavens. He is not absent, detached or disinterested. God knows and cares about everything that is going on in his creation. True security is found in God's watch care.

God's unfailing love

Psalm 33:20-22 affirms God's love for his people. As one writer states, “This psalm celebrates Yahweh (God) as the only one who–by virtue of his trustworthy character and unassailable power–deserves our trust.” When we trust in God's love for us, we will wait in hope, rejoice in hope and pray for his unfailing love to rest on us. Romans 8:25 reminds us, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” God is sovereign of both creation and history.

God's work in our lives

God has established his kingdom and rules over it with power and majesty. All God's works are characterized by his faithfulness to his promises. God stands behind his promises and has the power to make his promises a reality. Nothing is too grand for him to accomplish.

Many of us know God is powerful, but sometimes we forget God wants to fill our lives with his power. Faith is trusting in the presence and power of God. Faith is depending in the presence and power of God. Two questions will help us evaluate God's presence and power in our lives: (1) Do we expect the presence of God at all times? (2) Do we expect God to act?

We can rest in God's sovereignty and know he is worthy of our worship. We can know God is in total control, and we can trust him with every aspect of our lives. We can trust in God's rule and know he directs everything according to his purposes. God's sovereignty reminds us that God is God, and we are not.

Discussion questions

When was the last time you caught a greater glimpse of God and became awestruck at his power and majesty?

When was the last time you did something bold because you trusted in the presence and power of God and claimed his power as your own?