Crossroads: Awestruck

Psalm 95

My Story

Have you ever been awestruck by something? Perhaps a sight that took your breath away? For me, those times come most often when I am standing on top of a mountain, gazing out into the distance at the creation God has formed. Depending on the season, creation is either lush and green, or alive with color, or waiting in the darkness to spring back to life. No matter what season, God’s creation is always amazing, always awe-inspiring. Sometimes nature is the best reminder of why we worship—our God is the Creator, who created everyone and everything. And our God is very creative!

Your Story

Tell your family about a time when you have been awestruck. Did you praise God in that moment?

The Bible Story

Read Psalm 95:1-7 or use this version from The Message:

Come, let’s shout praises to God,
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!
And why? Because God is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!
So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he’s our God,
and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.”

Why do we worship? Why do we sing praises to God? Because our God is the best! God created all that we see and yet can still hold it in the palm of God’s hand. God sculpted the earth and painted the leaves. We can see how much God loves us and how creative God is by simply looking at nature. God created everything around us, not only because it was beautiful and wonderful, but also so that it could nurture us. Trees give us the air we breathe as well as a shady place to rest. The sun grows our food. Rain gives us water. With God, we have everything we need. And so when we look at creation, or even when we just think about God, we should worship. We should praise God because not only is God always with us, but God also created everything we see. God is the best! Let’s worship God with singing and thanksgiving!

Discussion

Ask your child what they’d like to praise God about. Depending on their ages, you may need to guide them a bit (the food we eat, nature, etc.). You might be surprised with their answers.

As a family, praise God through song, prayer, a poem, etc. Find a way to praise God for God’s goodness.

Prayer

Thank God for all that God has done and for who God is. Ask God to show you more things for which you can praise God.

Jessica Asbell is currently serving as the Minister to Children at First Baptist Church of Roswell, GA. She has worked with children in various capacities at several churches, including Winter Park Baptist in Wilmington, NC, First Baptist of Decatur, GA, and Highland Hills Baptist in Macon, GA. She has a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology and a BBA from Mercer University. In her spare time she loves to read, watch movies, and of course spend time with her sweet kitty, Lucy.