by Martin Luther
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. (Psalm 111:2)
The works of the Lord are great. But in this passage, the psalmist points out that only a few devout people notice what God has done. Most people don’t praise God or thank him. They never say, “Great are the works of the Lord.” Though they are completely surrounded by his gifts, they have gotten used to them. They take advantage of what God has given them, rooting around in God’s gifts like a hog in a bag of feed. They say, “What’s so special about the fact that the sun shines, fire gives warmth, the ocean provides fish, the earth yields grain, cows have calves, women give birth to children, and hens lay eggs? These things happen every day!”
Is something insignificant just because it happens every day? If the sun wouldn’t shine for ten days, suddenly it would be a great thing when it began shining again. If fire existed only in one place on earth, I think it would be more precious than gold or silver. If there were only well in the world, I would imagine that a drop of water would be priceless.
God showers people with rich and wonderful blessings. But how ungrateful and blind people are! They don’t recognize these blessings as amazing miracles from God, so they don’t admire them, give thanks for them, or act happy about them. However, if a clown can walk on a tightrope or train monkeys, people are ready to admire and praise him for it. The psalmist points out that the Lord’s works are great, but these works are appreciated only in the eyes of God’s faithful followers.
from Faith Alone – A Daily Devotional - General Editor James C. Galvin
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Dear Mike,
Thank you for sharing this thought and quote. The Lord used it to expose me to my own thanklessness and how I have gotten used to the abundant overflow of many of His blessings and mercies; “rooting around in GOD’s gifts like a hog at a bag of feed.” What kindness there is in this correction. O that I may extol Him, my God and King, my Saviour, Provider, Creator, and Sustainer. He is due all glory and praise for all things at all times. Thank you again. Kim
Kim,
Yes, I too am guilty of taking God and His infinite mercies and provision for granted. Even my still functioning body is all by His grace. Each heart beat and breath are in his hands. This life is really not about us is it? No, it is all about Him. Praise God that He loves us takes care of us.
In Christ
Miker Ratliff
God has shown my family how quick we have always been to judge the children of Israel who wondered the wilderness for 40yrs on their complaining attitude. We have much more than they had and yet we complain at least as much or more than they! Complaining against what God has given us is not just actively voicing one’s dislike but also it includes not giving thanks for what He has given us. This is a GREAT sin. In essence, we are telling the Maker of heaven and earth and all the things in them that what He provides for us isn’t good enough. Thank you, Mike for this important reminder.
Sarah,
What you described is common to all people. It is a constant battle to look upon all around us and in us and see God’s hand and provision in it all. I believe God is using this fact to show us how utterly depraved all people are because of the fall. We are corrupt and rebellious and self-centered and self-absorbed. Oh Dear Heavenly Father have mercy on us, change us, grant us repentance from this evil of taking you for granted. Uproot our pride and grow us in humility.
In Christ
Mike Ratliff