Psalm 33 New American Standard Bible 1995
Praise to the Creator and Preserver.
33 Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together [a]as a heap;
He lays up the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it [b]stood fast.
10 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions [c]the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who [d]hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have [e]hoped in You.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Though I wasn’t a carpenter by trade, in my youth I loved to work with wood.
I enjoyed the effort of taking pieces of scrap wood of any size or shape and condition and just transforming them into something useful and pleasing.
As creatures made in the image of God, (Genesis 1:26-28) we all have an inborn desire to make things useful and lovely.
In this stewardship we imitate God, who created the heavens and the earth.
For the reader Psalm 33 recalls God’s almighty power in creating everything around us: the sky, the sun, the stars, the mountains, the rivers, the oceans.
God not only created all that we see; he also created good things we can’t see—like air, gravity, and sound, as well as forgiveness, love, goodness, and justice.
God did this, as the psalm says in verse 6, through the power of his spoken word.
When we say, with the Apostle’s Creed, that God is the “creator of heaven and earth,” we are acknowledging, declaring and recalling that the same God who made the mountains, forests, the rivers and oceans made each one of us too.
Psalm 139:13-18 New American Standard Bible 1995
13 For You formed my [a]inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for [b]I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My [c]frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
What’s more, we are declaring and praising that this God hasn’t stepped back from what he has made; no, he still delights in preserving and in sustaining it.
We can each take great comfort in knowing that the all-powerful Creator and sustainer, God Almighty, is the one that we also call our heavenly Father.
There is never a time or a single moment that God does not care for us and too about us; he knows what we need; he will never let us slip from his tender care.
How Can We Use Our Creative Talents to Glorify God?
Genesis 1:1-5 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was [a] formless and void, and darkness was over the [b]surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was [c]moving over the [d]surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
It is written in the very first line of the Bible: “In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1, emphasis added).
Creativity begins with God.
He had a very definite plan and design for the cosmos and spoke it into being.
We have a written account of how creation came to be, and how the very first people were made by God. God spoke, made, and revealed it all through the written word. He was behind the entire creative order that we see around us.
When we do look at the intricacy of a human being, the intricacy of a snowflake, the symmetry of a butterfly, or the perfect location of the earth’s position in the rest of the solar system, we see the deep intricate handiwork of our Creator God.
He also planned that we would be made in His image (Genesis 1:26), so it is no surprise that we get to experience the wonder and joy of creativity ourselves.
With all of this God given uniquely individualized creative potential, do we ever wonder exactly how we can all use our uniquely creative talents to glorify God?
Give All the Glory and Praise to God Alone
Whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
That includes our creative endeavors.
As the apostle Paul shared,
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
In Colossians 1:16 it says: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
It is through Jesus that everything has been made and it is all for Him (John 1:3).
God made the universe through His Son (Hebrews 1:2) and it is by faith that “we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3). It is right and good and joyful to give all glory to the One who made it all and for whom it is all for.
It also fulfills the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Luke 10:27).
What we create should not be worshiped, nor should we glorify ourselves or others in our creative pursuits.
That does not mean that we do not enjoy or appreciate what we create, but we acknowledge, remember to keep our love and affections in their rightful place.
Not Only Praise but Participate in God’s Masterpiece
Genesis 2:19-23 New American Standard Bible 1995
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the [a]sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the [b]sky, and to every beast of the field, but for [c]Adam there was not found a helper [d]suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God [e] fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
[f]She shall be called [g]Woman,
Because [h]she was taken out of [i]Man.”
We all have the immense privilege of joining with God in His creative purposes for the world. It was God’s wonderful idea to create people and to get the first man to name the livestock, the birds and the wild animals (Genesis 2:20).
God “brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2:19).
From the very beginning every moment of this was God’s idea to involve us in the creative stewardship of His creation, it was not an idea of our own making.
God made the first woman as a helper, creating her from the rib of the man, and he named her too (Genesis 2:21-23). They would work together in the world.
God invites every single one of us to uniquely participate in His grand design on earth, and His kingdom purposes.
We are made in His image and formed by Him, and God has a plan and a purpose, establishing our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
We can each use our creative talents for good or for ill, but as we look to Jesus, our desires will become more and more like His. Using our creativity enables us to uniquely express a part of who God has designed us to be (Psalm 139:13-16).
That will look different for each person, as we are all individuals with unique gifts and abilities, yet we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by Him (Psalm 139:14).
Glorify God by Our Love for Others with Our Creativity
Mark 12:28-34 New American Standard Bible 1995
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the [a]foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.
It is important to remember the first two commandments as we create: love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Loving the Lord comes first. We need to spend time with Him regularly; it is vital to build and nurture a relationship with our Heavenly Father. As we do this, it will truly transform our longings and desires to love and serve others.
God loves the people whom He created, and He designed us to be in community together. As we create to the glory and honor of God and out of love for Him, it will spill over into how we use our talents, our time, our resources for others.
This might look like caring for those in need, volunteering our skills, designing something to the best of our ability with utmost integrity, photographing or painting beautiful landscapes to show God’s work on display, so much more.
There are endless opportunities to be creative.
The people in our homes, communities and our churches and the wider world can be mightily blessed, uplifted and too inspired by our God-given creativity.
Manage Our Creative Talents Well
James 1:12-17 New American Standard Bible 1995
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has [a]been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted [b]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [c]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin [d]is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be [e]deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or [f]shifting shadow.
We are to steward what God has given us and remember that all good gifts come from Him (James 1:17).
Even as we are diligent with our time, resources and creative talents, we can continue to learn and develop in our creativity.
As we look to Him who is the giver and provider of all we need, we worship Him alone, rather than anything that we create.
Throughout the Bible, there are examples of humans using their gifts and abilities to create things to worship other than God.
We see it when the Israelites created a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32) and in the construction of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-4).
In both cases, they made a god or a name for themselves, demonstrating the skill, but also the deep-rooted pride of mankind.
Even idolizing people made in the image of God lends itself to the worship of the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
There is risk and temptation to pursue and follow created things and step into idolatry, rather than to worship God.
Therefore, we must bring our creativity before the Lord, knowing it is Him that we are serving, and we should use our talents wisely.
Embrace the Skills Given to Us
Exodus 35:10-19 New American Standard Bible 1995
Tabernacle Workmen
10 ‘Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the Lord has commanded: 11 the [a]tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its [b]sockets; 12 the ark and its poles, the [c] mercy seat, and the curtain of the screen; 13 the table and its poles, and all its [d]utensils, and the bread of the [e]Presence; 14 the lampstand also for the light and its utensils and its lamps and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense and its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the doorway at the [f] entrance of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering with its [g]bronze grating, its poles, and all its [h]utensils, the [i]basin and its stand; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its [j]sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court and their cords; 19 the [k]woven garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests.’”
God gives skills to different people. We are all given certain abilities, even if it might take us a little while to discover or develop what they are.
In the building of the Tabernacle, there were many who had different skills given to them by God which would be used to complete it: “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded” (Exodus 35:10).
It is a beautiful picture of some of God’s people who were “willing and whose heart moved them” and brought materials and offerings to God for this work (Exodus 35:21-22).
Men and women all participated together, and there was willingness and skill involved to make what God had commanded come to be. Are we also willing to offer our unique skills in whatever way is needed for God’s glory and purpose?
God Equips Whose He Calls
Exodus 35:30-35 New American Standard Bible 1995
30 Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all [a] craftsmanship; 32 [b]to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in [c] bronze, 33 and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. 34 He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with [d]skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in [e]blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.
God also equips those whom He calls to a specific task.
In the building of the Tabernacle, the Lord chose Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, and filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, knowledge and all kinds of skills, to make artistic designs (Exodus:35:30-35).
He also equipped him and Oholiab of the tribe of Dan to be able to teach others. God is the one who fills us with the skills for the tasks that He has called us to.
The creative process means walking through trials and frustrations at times, but can also develop our perseverance and character.
God can use our creativity to shape and transform us into the likeness of Jesus as we seek to use our creative talents for His glory.
He is interested in our hearts.
As we create, we can ask Jesus to help us honor Him in our pursuits.
We can use our creativity to build up believers, spread the good news to those who do not know Jesus, support those in need, and use it as a way to provide an income for our families.
As we surrender, yield to God, continually thinking “not my will but yours be done,” He can take our creative offering, transform it for His glory, purposes.
God saw the two loaves and five fish, and He was the One who filled the crowd.
Give Him your creative talents, no matter how big or small, and let Him deeply satisfy your every need.
As pastor and theologian Reverend Dr. John Piper said:
“God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him.”
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any [a]hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 148 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord.
148 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, [c]highest heavens,
And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
Praise for all His godly ones;
Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
[d]Praise [e]the Lord!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 