Filling the Earth with Unfailing Love

Astronauts in space are often awestruck by their first lofty view of the Earth. Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the Moon, said, “It suddenly struck me that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.”

In today’s psalm, the author is awestruck not by his view of earth but by his vision of God our Creator. Here we are told to “sing joyfully,” to “praise,” and “make music” (vv. 1–2). We are to offer God our very best singing and we are to play instruments skillfully. We were created to praise Him. Verse 4 explains why: “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Our singing is the perfect response to God.

In creation we see the faithfulness of God. Like the astronauts, we are often awed by the beauty we see around us in the skies, oceans, and mountains. And how astounding that all of this was spoken into place (v. 6)! The knowledge that God could “breathe” the world into being inspires reverence. God is powerful. Whatever He commands is obeyed (v. 9).

The psalmist also rejoices that we have been given an intimate and loving relationship with God. He is not only a powerful Creator but He also knows everything we do (v. 15). Praise, then, is the only appropriate response. The earth is filled with His goodness.

While His nature is evident for all to see, many choose not to acknowledge Him. What an encouragement to sing with gusto our praise of God, the creator and sustainer of life who has chosen to love and know us!

Pray with Us

Would you pray for Mark Wagner, Moody’s chief operating officer and executive vice president? Moody has operated and ministered successfully over the years due to faithful and talented servants of God like Mark.

BY Jamie Janosz

Jamie Janosz serves as a content development manager for Moody Bible Institute. She writes monthly devotionals for Today in the Word and has published non-fiction essays with Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics blog. Recently Jamie wrote a book titled When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up (Moody Publishers). Jamie studied theology and writing at Moody Bible Institute, Columbia College, and Illinois State University. She lives on the Atlantic coast of Florida with her husband, Milt, and daughter, Sabrina.