APRIL 21, 2023
READ: Psalm 95:1–7
MEMORY VERSE
“In his hand are the depths of the earth.” Psalm 95:4
BACKGROUND
Krubera-Voronja, in the Eurasian country of Georgia, is one of the deepest caves yet explored on planet Earth. A team of explorers have probed the dark and scary depths of its mostly vertical caverns to 2,197 meters—that’s 7,208 feet into the earth!
Similar caves, around four hundred of them, exist in other parts of the country and across the globe. More caverns are being discovered all the time and new depth records are being set.
The mysteries of creation continue to unfold, changing and adding to our understanding of the universe we live in and causing us to wonder at the matchless creativity of God’s handiwork.
The psalmist invites us all to “sing for joy” and “shout aloud” to the Lord because of His greatness (v. 1). God’s work of creation—all that it contains, whether we’ve yet discovered it or not—is cause for us to bow down in worship (v. 6).
He doesn’t just know the vast, physical places of His creation; He also knows the intimate depths of our hearts. And not unlike in the caverns of Georgia, we’ll go through dark and perhaps scary seasons in life.
Yet we know that God holds even those times in His powerful yet tender care. In the words of the psalmist, we’re His people, the “flock under his care” (v. 7).
By: Kirsten Holmberg
INSIGHT
Psalm 95 together with Psalms 47, 93, and 96–99 are known as “enthronement or royal psalms” because they use the image of a king to denote God’s sovereign reign over all creation and over all history.
Psalm 95:3 proclaims, “the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.” This psalm is easily outlined into two parts: a call to worship God as Creator and King (vv. 1–7a) and a warning not to reject God as King (vv. 7b–11).
The Israelites viewed their national leaders as shepherds (see Ezekiel 34:1–2; Zechariah 10:3). They also spoke of God as their national leader, calling Him the “Shepherd of Israel” (Psalm 80:1), who “brought his people out like a flock; [leading] them like sheep through the wilderness” (78:52).
Here in Psalm 95, His people sing in reverent worship, “He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (v. 7).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
How has God guided you through dark places? In what new place or way is He inviting you to trust Him now?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
““Am I a God who is only close at hand?” declares the Lord, “No, I am far away at the same time not far away. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place so that I cannot see Him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24 nlt/esv
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“The mysteries of creation continue to unfold, changing and adding to our understanding of the universe we live in and causing us to wonder at the matchless creativity of God’s handiwork… God’s work of creation whether we’ve yet discovered it or not – is cause for us to bow down in worship”
PRAYER
“Creator God, help me to trust in Your care for me even in the darkest places!”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG”
“FILLED WTH YOUR GLORY” Starfield
In my heart, in my heart
There’s a fire burning
A passion deep within my soul
Not slowing down, not growing cold
An unquenchable flame
That keeps burning brighter
A love that’s blazing like the sun
For who You are and what You’ve done
And as the fire is raging on
So Your praise becomes my song
The whole earth is filled with Your glory, Lord
Angels and men adore
Creation longs for what’s in store
May You be honored and glorified
Exalted and lifted high
Here at Your feet, I lay my life
From the ends of the earth
To the heights of Heaven
Your glory, Lord, is far and wide
Through history You reign on high
From the depths of the sea
To the mountain’s summit
Your power, Lord, it knows no bounds
A higher love cannot be found
So let the universe proclaim
Your great power and Your great name
The whole earth is filled with Your glory, Lord
Angels and men adore…
The whole earth is filled with Your glory, Lord
Mountains bow and oceans roar
Creation longs for what’s in store
May You be honored and glorified
Exalted and lifted high
Here at Your feet, I lay my life
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
2 Samuel 12-13
Luke 16
