Psalm 104 reminds me of looking at the inner workings of a fine watch. Things are spinning and turning in every direction with precise movements. Everything is synchronized together, but I only care about the face. I am not a watchmaker; I just need to know the time. This psalm describes the interrelated layers of complexity of the universe, but we do not have to fret. He begins, “Praise the Lord… my God, You are very great“. We could stop right here, because that is the answer, but the writer also reveals the inner-workings. “He wraps himself in light… He stretches out the heavens… He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved“. As children we observed the sun arch across the sky and the seasons change and never feared that we could mess that up. It is only after you remove the Creator from the process and theorize that we are the result of a random accident, that you can believe our world is so fragile. The writer reinforces the notion of the great flood and includes a promise. “You covered it with… waters… they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place You assigned for them… never again will they cover the earth“. There is comfort in knowing, everything is as it is supposed to be. “It flows between the mountains… give water to all the beasts… quench their thirst… the birds… sing among the branches… the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His work“. Are you satisfied?
Next he describes the balance within the cycles and systems. “He makes grass grow for the cattle…plants for man to cultivate bringing forth food from the earth… wine that gladdens the heart of man… and bread that sustains“. We are part of His creation. “The moon marks off the seasons… it becomes night… the beasts of the forest prowl… The sun rises… Then man goes out to his work“. We are designed to work, but the hands of the clock simply reveal the quality of the master’s workmanship. Is it time for a repair?
The psalm closes with the understanding that we are free to resist God. We can shake our fist and fight against the day, but the date will still advance. “In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of your creatures… the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures… the ships go to and fro… You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things“. Please note that God’s hand is open. He adds that God gives life, but in the end these bodies will ultimately decay. “They die and return to the dust… When You send Your Spirit, they are created“. He concludes with what we are to do in between, “May the Lord rejoice in his works… I will sing praise to my God as long as I live… May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord“. Matthew chapter 24 describes “the Day of the Lord”. I believe this is the day when Christ will return and take possession of the earth: The alarm will sound and “As in the days of Noah” the faithful will be protected. Mathew warns, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come… So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him“. The creator will one day retake ownership of His creation. The psalmist rejoiced that all will be made right, not that rebellion will be judged. “But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord“. There is still time. Are you ready?