God's Gracious Ways

Creation: A Divine Cycle
Praise from and for God's Creation

All Creation Praises God

Psalm 145:13-21. The Message

13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
    you never get voted out of office.
God always does what he says,
    and is gracious in everything he does.
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
    gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
    you give them their meals on time.
16 Generous to a fault,
    you lavish your favor on all creatures.
17 Everything God does is right—
    the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God’s there, listening for all who pray,
    for all who pray and mean it.
19 He does what’s best for those who fear him—
    hears them call out and saves them.
20 God sticks by all who love him,
    but it’s all over for those who don’t.
21 My mouth is filled with God’s praise.
    Let everything living bless him,
    bless his holy name from now to eternity!

For Reflection

To all who love God, God is generous.  To all who love God, God is gracious.  To all who love God, God provides sustenance. To all who love God, God helps.  To all who love God, God loves. To all who love God, God listens.  To all who love God, God saves them from themselves.

To all who do not love God, God leaves them to suffer their folly, to fail by their own devices.  To all who do not love God, God promises the same blessings to those who choose to accept God and abide in God.

Pray

Praise God for all that God provides. Praise God because God is the creator.  Praise God for God's offer to provide to all who choose to abide in God.