Dear brothers and sisters, I spoke with the children on Sunday about "sea monsters" and the God who made them. The Psalmist writes "Praise the Lord from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps" (Psalm 148:7 NASB77). The word 'sea monster' is also translated as "dragons" (KJV), and "great sea creatures" (ESV). Such creatures would include the great whales, giant squid, along with many incredible now extinct creatures such as those that paleontologists classify as Plesiosaurs. There is much we do not know about the deeps, as I recall we have only mapped 5% of the ocean floor. Who knows what monsters still haunt the depths of the oceans, but the waters team with life that God has made. Did you know our God is that awesome? He's filled the earth with many marvelous things yet unknown. The hymn by Cecil F. Alexander says it well All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. There are three other verses to the song about various aspects of creation, but I do wish he would've added more. You see it's true that God made all creatures great and small. This includes not only "each little flow'r that opens, each little bird that sings," (his words) but also "each angry lion growling, each monster in the deep" (my words). Back to Psalm 148, the psalmist continues, Fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven (Psalm 148:8-13). You and I are included among those whom God has made, those who should praise the great name of YHWH, our Lord. Of any creature, we have that much more reason to praise Him for He has lifted up a horn (ruler) for his people, praise him for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are NEAR TO HIM. Praise the LORD (Psalm 148:14). The God who made the highest stars and the great monsters of the deep, the same God delivers and dwells with His people. Praise Him, Praise Him this moment, Praise Him all the day long, for He is awesome and good! Grace & Peace, Matt P.S. Brian Sauve has done an excellent job putting this psalm to music. You can watch his music video here https://youtu.be/nD6JUJNswL0
Matthew Deneault Pastor at Christ Community Fellowship
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