Recognizing God's Sustaining Grace in Everyday Life
Summary
Psalm 104 invites us to reflect on the everyday blessings that God provides, encouraging us to see His hand in the ordinary aspects of life. While many Psalms focus on God as the Creator, Psalm 104 emphasizes God as the Sustainer, highlighting His ongoing provision for creation. This Psalm teaches us to appreciate the seemingly small things—food, shelter, and the order of the universe—as gifts from God. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the natural processes that sustain life, such as the growth of grass and the provision of water for animals. These processes, though they may appear natural, are orchestrated by God’s hand.
The Psalm also speaks to the order and structure God has established in the world. The predictability of seasons and the cycle of day and night are not just natural phenomena but are part of God’s design to create a livable world. This order allows us to thrive and build a functioning society. Moreover, the Psalm reveals that God provides not only for our physical needs but also for our emotional enjoyment. The sea, once a symbol of chaos, is now a place of play and pleasure, illustrating God’s desire for us to enjoy life.
This understanding of God’s common grace—His blessings available to all humanity—challenges us to recognize His generosity in our daily lives. It’s easy to take for granted the food on our tables or the shelter over our heads, but these are manifestations of God’s grace. Even those who do not acknowledge God benefit from His common grace, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:45, where He speaks of God giving sunlight and rain to both the just and the unjust.
Reflecting on these truths, we are called to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is built on a foundation of grace. This week, let us practice thanking God for the everyday blessings we often overlook, such as the beauty of nature, the ability to work, and the joy of a good meal. By doing so, we align our hearts with the Psalmist’s call to bless the Lord, acknowledging His generosity and goodness in all aspects of life.
Key Takeaways:
1. God as Sustainer: Psalm 104 shifts the focus from God as Creator to God as Sustainer, emphasizing His ongoing provision for creation. This includes the natural processes that provide food and shelter, reminding us that God is actively involved in sustaining life. [07:54]
2. Order and Structure: The Psalm highlights the order God has established in the world, such as the cycles of day and night and the changing seasons. This order is a gift that allows us to thrive and build a functioning society, reflecting God’s desire for a livable world. [10:36]
3. Provision for Pleasure: Beyond meeting our physical needs, God provides for our emotional enjoyment. The sea, once chaotic, is now a place of play, illustrating God’s desire for us to enjoy life, not just endure it. [14:36]
4. Common Grace: God’s common grace is His generosity extended to all humanity, regardless of their faith. This grace is evident in the everyday blessings we experience, challenging us to recognize and appreciate God’s impartial generosity. [19:55]
5. Gratitude in the Everyday: Recognizing God’s hand in the ordinary aspects of life calls us to cultivate gratitude. By thanking God for everyday blessings like nature, work, and meals, we align our hearts with the Psalmist’s call to bless the Lord. [30:02]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - Introduction to Praying the Psalms
[02:50] - Everyday Thanksgivings
[03:48] - Reading Psalm 104
[05:12] - God as Creator
[07:00] - God as Sustainer
[07:54] - Provision of Food and Shelter
[09:33] - Natural Processes and God's Involvement
[10:36] - Order and Structure in Creation
[12:24] - From Chaos to Order
[14:36] - Provision for Pleasure
[15:49] - Emotional Enjoyment and God's Gifts
[17:04] - Experiencing God in Everyday Life
[18:58] - Common Grace Explained
[20:58] - Purpose of Common Grace
[23:06] - Recognizing God's Provision
[30:02] - Practicing Gratitude in Everyday Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 104
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 104
- Matthew 5:45
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Observation Questions:
1. How does Psalm 104 describe God's role in the natural processes that sustain life, such as the growth of grass and the provision of water for animals? [07:54]
2. What examples from the sermon illustrate the order and structure God has established in the world, as highlighted in Psalm 104? [10:36]
3. According to the sermon, how does Psalm 104 depict the sea, and what does this reveal about God's provision for our emotional enjoyment? [14:36]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of God's common grace, and what examples are given to illustrate this idea? [19:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Psalm 104 shift the focus from God as Creator to God as Sustainer, and why is this distinction significant for understanding God's ongoing involvement in our lives? [07:00]
2. How does the predictability of seasons and the cycle of day and night, as described in Psalm 104, reflect God's desire for a livable world, and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [10:36]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's provision for pleasure and our understanding of His character, particularly in terms of His generosity and desire for us to enjoy life? [15:49]
4. How does the concept of common grace challenge our perceptions of God's generosity, and what does this reveal about His impartiality in extending blessings to all humanity? [19:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the everyday blessings in your life, such as food, shelter, and nature. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for these seemingly small gifts from God? [30:02]
2. Consider the order and structure in your daily routine. How does recognizing God's hand in these aspects of life change your perspective on the predictability and stability you experience? [10:36]
3. Think about a recent moment of joy or pleasure, such as enjoying a good meal or spending time in nature. How can you use these experiences to deepen your appreciation for God's provision and generosity? [15:49]
4. In what ways can you acknowledge and appreciate God's common grace in your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? How does this understanding influence your relationships? [19:55]
5. Identify one area of your life where you tend to take God's provision for granted. What specific steps can you take this week to express gratitude and recognize His sustaining presence in that area? [30:02]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of thanking God for everyday blessings into your prayer life, and what impact do you anticipate this will have on your spiritual growth and outlook on life? [33:10]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s encouragement to see God in the fabric of the world. How can you be more intentional about recognizing His presence in the ordinary moments of your day-to-day life? [17:04]
Devotional
Day 1: God as the Sustainer of Life
God's role as the Sustainer is a profound aspect of His relationship with creation. While many recognize God as the Creator, Psalm 104 shifts the focus to His ongoing involvement in the world. This Psalm highlights how God provides for the needs of all living things, orchestrating natural processes like the growth of grass and the provision of water for animals. These processes, though they may seem ordinary, are manifestations of God's sustaining power. By acknowledging God as the Sustainer, we are reminded that every aspect of life, from the food we eat to the shelter we have, is a gift from Him. This understanding calls us to see the divine in the mundane and to appreciate the everyday blessings that are often overlooked. [07:54]
Psalm 145:15-16 (ESV): "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing."
Reflection: Consider a routine part of your day that you often take for granted. How can you acknowledge God's sustaining hand in this aspect of your life today?
Day 2: The Divine Order in Creation
Psalm 104 emphasizes the order and structure that God has established in the world. The cycles of day and night, the changing seasons, and the predictability of nature are not mere coincidences but are part of God's intentional design. This order allows humanity to thrive, providing a stable environment in which societies can flourish. Recognizing this divine order challenges us to see the world as a carefully crafted masterpiece, reflecting God's wisdom and purpose. It invites us to trust in His plan, knowing that the same God who set the stars in place is actively involved in the details of our lives. [10:36]
Job 38:12-13 (ESV): "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?"
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by chaos. How can recognizing God's order in creation help you find peace and trust in His plan today?
Day 3: Provision for Pleasure and Joy
Beyond meeting our physical needs, God desires for us to experience joy and pleasure in life. Psalm 104 illustrates this by transforming the sea, once a symbol of chaos, into a place of play and enjoyment. This transformation reflects God's heart for His creation, showing that He wants us to not only endure life but to enjoy it. By providing spaces for recreation and beauty, God invites us to delight in His creation and to find joy in the world around us. This understanding encourages us to embrace moments of happiness as gifts from God, recognizing His desire for our well-being. [14:36]
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV): "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."
Reflection: Identify a simple pleasure or activity that brings you joy. How can you intentionally make time for this in your life, acknowledging it as a gift from God?
Day 4: Recognizing God's Common Grace
God's common grace is His generosity extended to all humanity, regardless of their faith. This grace is evident in the everyday blessings we experience, such as sunlight and rain, which are given to both the just and the unjust. Recognizing God's common grace challenges us to appreciate His impartial generosity and to see His hand in the ordinary aspects of life. It reminds us that every good thing we have is a result of His grace, calling us to live with gratitude and humility. By acknowledging God's common grace, we are invited to reflect on His goodness and to share His love with others. [19:55]
Acts 14:16-17 (ESV): "In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."
Reflection: Think of a blessing in your life that you often overlook. How can you express gratitude for this blessing today, recognizing it as a part of God's common grace?
Day 5: Cultivating Gratitude in Everyday Life
Recognizing God's hand in the ordinary aspects of life calls us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. By thanking God for everyday blessings like nature, work, and meals, we align our hearts with the Psalmist’s call to bless the Lord. This practice of gratitude helps us to see the world through a lens of grace, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from God. It encourages us to live with a sense of wonder and appreciation, transforming our perspective on life. By cultivating gratitude, we open ourselves to experience the fullness of God's generosity and to share His love with those around us. [30:02]
Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Reflect on your day and identify three things you are grateful for. How can you incorporate a practice of gratitude into your daily routine, acknowledging God's presence in your life?
Quotes
1. "We've been going through a sermon series on praying the Psalms. Praying the Psalms. And we've been learning how to pray by using the Psalms as a guide for us. So we've been using the book of Psalms as a guide. And here's a few topics that we've covered or we're going to cover and we have more to come. But two weeks ago, we were talking about the book of Psalms. And we were talking about the book of Psalms. And in our first week in this series, we went through how to pray our praises to God." ([00:01:25] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "And we all experience doubts in the Christian life. The biblical authors are well acquainted with the Christian life. And they are free to kind of express their doubts, especially in the Psalms. So really looking forward to Pastor Chin kind of leading us through that. We've been talking about this topic a lot. That's another benefit of my job. I get to hang out with Pastor Chin a lot more in the office now. That's been great. Today, we're going to be talking about how to pray through our everyday Thanksgivings. Everyday Thanksgivings." ([00:02:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Today, though, we're going to turn our attention to things that feel smaller. Not because they're any less worthy of praise, but just because they feel smaller. You know, they're everyday things. Things like food, shelter, stuff like that. How do we learn to give God praise for things like that? That's what we're going to be going through today. So, in our first week, we went through Psalm 103, and this week we're going to go through its companion psalm, its sister psalm, Psalm 104, the very next psalm. So, let's read that together." ([00:03:30] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Well, Psalm 104, as you can see, it kind of opens up with this beautiful view as God as the creator. And the author uses all sorts of really human -like language, anthropomorphic language, to kind of capture just how remarkable God is, how different God is. So he says, you're God's clothing. It's not like our clothing. He doesn't wear polyester. He doesn't wear cotton. He's clothed in splendor. God's clothed in majesty. He's clothed in light itself." ([00:06:24] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And that's all really interesting. And yet, the rest of the psalm is just not really concerned at all about God being the creator. There are a lot of other psalms that deal with that. There are a lot of other scriptural passages that are very interested in God as the creator. This one is actually not that interested at all in that. The author is not that concerned here about God as the creator. What he's interested in is God as the sustainer." ([00:07:29] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "And the author is saying here that God organized the world into something actually livable. He organized it into sky, and land, and sea, so that we could actually live, and we could actually thrive. So what's the psalmist trying to show here? He's trying to show that God sustains our life, not just with food, not just with shelter, but also with structure. This world is not as it originally was, this unpredictable, cold, watery chaos. That's not what it is. No, we can depend on things now. We can depend on the sun." ([00:13:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "And who would have thought that God cares about making us happy? One commentator says this. He says, the Lord provides for the biological necessities of his creatures, yes, but he also provides for, for the emotional enjoyment of humanity. The Lord desires that humans enjoy life, not just endure it. And so this is the reality of life that the psalmist kind of portrays here. Verse 27 says that whether we recognize it or not, we are all looking to God for what he can provide for us. These all look to you. We're all looking to God." ([00:16:13] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And indeed, it's in the fabric of the world, in the food on our tables, it's out in nature, it's having people over in our homes. That's, these are all ways that we can experience God. And I think that's what we need to do. And I think that's what we need to do. And I think that's what we need to do. And I think that's what we need to do. And I think that's what we need to House, we can't care less about this God." ([00:18:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "This is different from what people call saving grace. Saving grace, as you can imagine, is the grace of God that's experienced in God saving us, in God's salvation. And unfortunately, not everybody experiences the blessings of God's saving grace, because not everybody ends up placing their faith in God, and that's everyone's prerogative. But the Bible says that everyone, not just believers, but unbelievers, and everyone experiences God's common grace." ([00:19:08] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "And so when you start to drill down at anything you have in life, you quickly realize. Everything I've earned, everything I've earned is on a foundation of grace. Maybe it's apparent to you, but I've really enjoyed studying this psalm the past couple weeks. And I feel like I've been struck by something I've never considered this much. And I've just never really meditated on it. I don't know how much the everyday grace of God points to God's character." ([00:25:37] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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