(If you want to study more, start at the beginning of this series on Praying Like the Psalmists. Or check out the index for this entire series of posts.)
Last week we learned the Psalmists prayed because they believed God Is. Yet, their faith did not end there. God was not merely out there, He was integrally related to what is down here. He is the author of it all. He is the creator. Everything down here is merely the creature.
God is Creator
Psalm 8:3 defines it, saying, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place…” Look to the skies. See the moon, the stars, the planets; these are not just out there. They are there because God put them there. They are His handiwork. Be in awe of the great God who said, “Let there be light” and there it was. Merely looking at the expanse of the sky should remind us of God’s glory. However, the more we learn about creation the more in awe we should be. Sadly, too many scientists keep studying to disprove God. Yet, the more they learn about the intricacies of creation, the more I’m amazed at God. From the precision with which our expansive solar system moves creating days, months, seasons, and years, to the extensive information stored in the most microscopic of cells, every bit of creation sings for God’s praise. Psalm 19:1-2 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” Every part of creation prompts us to praise God, from the burning gas of the stars to the brilliant colors of the flowers to the amazing efficiency of the ants and bumblebees.
Psalm 89:11-12 says, “The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.” Because God is the creator of all I see, He is the owner of all I see. As Psalm 50:10-11 says, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.” None of this is ours. It is all God’s. He merely grants us the use of it. You think your father is rich and has a great many land holdings? My Father has yours beat. He owns it all and one day your father will have to give account to mine for how he used the land.
The Springboard for Our Prayers
Here is the crux of the matter. When we fully see God as the creator of heaven and earth, of all we see, and all that is, prayer will no longer be a checklist item of Christian homework. Rather, prayer will become the natural response to who God is and what He has done. How can we help but praise God when He is that powerful? How can we help but petition when we see we are so weak in comparison? How can we help but confess to the God who holds us in the palm of His creative (and therefore destructive) hand? He is the creator. He is the owner. He is the sustainer. Because of Him we have life. Because of Him we have breath. Because of Him we have food. Because of Him we have clothes. Because of Him this world is perfectly suited for us. How could we not pray when we let this sink in to our hearts?
Additionally, when we fully see God as creator of heaven and earth, of all we see, and all that is, everything becomes a reminder and a prompt to pray. The budding trees, the blooming flowers, the mountains, the valleys, the fruit trees, the cedars, the stars, the moon, the planets, the people, the animals, the plants. Everything around us is the handiwork of God. Everything around us is reason to praise God. Walk outside whether day or night and pray with your eyes open. Start thanking God and praising Him for everything you see that comes from Him. Be amazed at it all.
The Psalmists prayed like they did because they saw God as Creator. Do we? Do we really? Or is creation merely one of those points we like to argue technically about with the atheists?
Praise for God the Creator
Psalm 148 provides the ultimate crescendo of praise for God as creator.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.Praise the lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!Let them praise the name of the lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people if Israel who are near to him.Praise the Lord!