Psa 104:26-29 “I will be glad in the LORD”, Part 7

Psa 104:26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
Psa 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
Psa 104:28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
Psa 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

“The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works” as it states in verse 31, and that is what we have been learning throughout this Psalm 104 as His word reveals how He glories in that workmanship and rejoices in what He is accomplishing within all of His creation. This glorious workmanship is described for us in parables and spiritual words that help us understand how “very great” God is and how His plans for us, and for all of His creation, are going to endure. When we are blessed to contemplate how great His love is for us, that is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Christ’s life (Joh 3:16), and when we are aware that we are sharing in that sacrifice as God’s predestinated workmanship, we find ourselves saying “I will be glad in the Lord” because Christ and His body are our joy, and we are blessed to be confident that He is the author and finisher of our faith, who tells us we will be saved by hope.

Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

God’s greatness is revealed in how He is described in His word, in His love for each of us, and in His desire to fashion each of us into the very likeness of his only begotten Son who he gave to us and who has no variableness, neither shadow of turning within himself. Ultimately we will be “coverest thyself with light as with a garment” [first half of verse 2 of this Psalm] and see him as He is, with no idle thoughts of our own, and only a stedfast spirit going in the same loving direction that our Father has always gone. That spirit of love is being made perfect through the judgement that God enables us to endure through Christ in this age if we are His (Mat 5:14).

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [being sent to each other, washing each others feet, bearing each others’ burdens (Heb 10:25, Mal 3:16)]

The light which God is fashioning within us is symbolic language that describes this process of stretching out the heavens of our minds like a curtain [ref. second half of verse 2 of this psalm] through the chastening grace and faith of God that makes this possible (Mar 15:38, 1Co 6:19, Eph 2:8). The Lord is building His temple and stretching those curtains which symbolize our eventual breadth and length and depth and height of understanding which come about through the ripping of the veil.

Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Mat 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Adam is marred in the hand of the potter (Jer 18:4), and this marred vessel is likened unto a temple that also must be torn down and rebuilt in three days (Joh 2:19). The body of Christ is being woven together to become “beams^H7136 of his chambers in the water”[ref: first part of verse 3 of this psalm] (Gal 2:9, Rev 3:12) who are blessed to have a relationship with our Creator “who maketh the clouds his chariot” [ref mid-part of verse 3] (Heb 12:1) and who “walks upon the wings of the wind” [ref: last part of verse 3] (Joh 3:8). We are with Christ in us as our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) helping each other in that process of becoming a new creation in Him. It is that relationship with Christ and his body that is tearing down the old building so that “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”, and that is how all things will become new through the church “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Mat 24:2, 2Co 5:17, Eph 3:10).

“beams” of verse 3: H7136 qârâh kaw-raw’
A primitive root; to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively to bring about; specifically to impose timbers (for roof or floor): – appoint, lay (make) beams, befall, bring, come (to pass unto), floor, [hap] was, happen (unto), meet, send good speed [Gen 24:12].

All of this symbolic language we are looking at is to remind us that we are our brother’s keeper today (Gen 4:9, Luk 10:37, Mar 12:31, Eze 9:4) and pillars for one another who are helping and holding up each other as we ‘send good speed’ to one another through the spirit of God that we’ve been granted (2Jn 1:10, Eph 4:16).

In the following verses we will examine now, we’ll study how God’s sovereignty is revealed in imagery which tells us that He is the one who created all the powers and principalities which He controls and is bringing to “an expected end” according to the counsel of His own will (Jer 29:11, Eph 1:11).

Psa 104:26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
Psa 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

If we consider that there is a negative example of giving meat in due season as opposed to this verse in Matthew below which is the positive example, these first two verses will become clearer in regard to how God instructs Satan and gives him his portion of meat via the destruction of our flesh just as He did with Job in these verses of Job. That portion given to Satan is destructive to our flesh but life unto the spirit.

Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Job 2:5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Job 2:8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Proverbs 30:18-22 also parallels what is being discussed in this section of Psalms to some degree. There are “three” that make the earth “disquieted” and for “four” which it cannot bear. The “adulterous woman” in this proverb is Babylon within us who is being judged, and her ways are likened unto “an eagle in the air”.

Like “the way of an eagle”, Satan is the prince of the power of the air who is given to prey upon us. This is also leviathan of whom “None is so fierce that dare stir him up.”

Pro 30:18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
Pro 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Pro 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Pro 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
Job 41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

Job 41:10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

The second category of this proverb is “a serpent upon a rock [describing that part of us which is not straight yet (Joh 1:23) as a crooked serpent upon Christ the rock. We are becoming more and more founded upon a rock as we are supposed to be through Christ, but God sees the unsettled part of our hearts and likens it unto a serpent upon a rock (Mat 16:18)];

The third category of this section of Proverb 30 is “the way of a ship in the midst of the sea” and remembering that these are events that point to “the way of an adulterous woman“, the ships of Tarshish which represent our former, and still present, conversation to whatever degree would be that “way of a ship in the midst of the sea” (Eze 27:25, Isa 23:14). God has called us out of Babylon (2Co 6:17) and out of the world, or the sea, to have our rudder turned and directed by His merciful direction; and as always that is a process which requires that we endure through Christ his chastening and the things that we suffer so that we can learn obedience and have his mercy and truth bound about our hearts to give direction in this life.

Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

The fourth category is “the way of a man with a maid”. All of a man’s ways are right in his own eyes as these verses in Proverbs tell us, and unless the Lord builds the house of that relationship with a maid^H5959, the weary labourer will labour in vain (Psa 127:1).

Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Pro 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Pro 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Pro 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

All of these four categories are given to encourage the elect who have the power through Christ to rule over those powers and principalities in the heavens [“the way of an eagle”/leviathan] (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21), which are likened unto “every way of a man” in proverb 21, while we are yet of our father the devil (Joh 8:44). Yet we can overcome the serpent because He who is in us is greater than he that is in the world (1Jn 4:4, 1Pe 5:8-9, Rev 12:9). We also can now bring our life into subjection to God through Christ and thereby have speech that is seasoned and a tongue that is bridled through Christ (Col 4:6, Jas 3:2-18). Again, the encouragement is knowing that Christ in the positive use of ‘that man’ (Act 4:12, Col 1:27) is able to make the bride ready as the virgin maid or bride of Christ (Rev 19:7) as the first part of Proverbs 30 declares (Pro 30:4-9).

“Maid” of Pro 31:19: H5959 ‛almâh al-maw’
Feminine of H5958; a lass (as veiled or private): – damsel, maid, virgin.

Pro 30:18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
Pro 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Pro 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Pro 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

We thank our Lord for reminding us to “be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready”, and we believe that Christ is in the process of making us ready, so that we can consider ourselves more than conquerors today (Rom 8:37) through Him that loved us. Even today we are able to say through Christ, even in the midst of our trials, “I will be glad in the Lord”.

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Psa 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

For more on this leviathan who is given their meat in due season, please go to the following link for one of Mike’s studies with the book of Job: http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/job_41_1_10/

Psa 104:28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
Psa 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

This next verse “thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good” confirms God’s love for all of his creation, who receives “their meat in due season”. It also reminds us that we are called to love those who don’t love us, those who are still plying the waters of Tarshish and who are yet snared of the devil through the leaven of the pharisees. In other words, we are to remember that God is the one who allows the enemy to choke the seed of God’s word in whatever way the Lord allows Satan to do that “until the harvest”.

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Everything God does is good, including sending the prophet to deceive us in our day when he allows our hearts to believe a lie (Isa 63:17, Eze 14:9). It is a good thing that Satan was in the garden to tempt Eve, and it is all instructive for us in order to remind us who we are without Christ ruling and reigning over the man of sin upon the throne of our own hearts (2Th 2:8). It is good that we are taken and snared at an appointed time by God (Isa 28:13); and when we “fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken”, it is a demonstration of the severity and goodness of God in regard to his finally not dealing with our fleshly hearts any longer and only wanting us to have the mind of Christ ruling and reigning in our heavens (Rom 11:22, Gen 6:3).

With those thoughts in mind, we can understand why “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust“. We are troubled because our flesh cannot accept that God would do things this way, and cause us to err, and cause us to sin (Rom 9:19-20). If we did not witness this corruption within ourselves, we would have no need to cry out for a saviour who is reconciling us through Christ. The whole of Psalm 107 reminds us of this need. He has made all things the way they are for the express purpose of redeeming all of His creation. There is forgiveness of those caused sins so “that thou mayest be feared”. Taking our breath away, causing us to die, and return to the dust from whence we came is all part of the good work of God that keeps us fearing God and working righteousness in this age.

2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Psa 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the last six verses of our study entitled “I will be glad in the LORD”

Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psa 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
Psa 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Psa 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Psa 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psa 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.