Psalm 148 is a beautiful exhortation to praise.
Praise from the heavens above and all that is in them.
Why?
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise from the earth beneath and all that is in it and praise from Israel, His special people.
Why?
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand—Psalm 96:6-7
Beloved...
As the year 2020 comes to an end, the one thing that stands out above all the lessons the Lord has patiently attempted to impart to me is this one. Stay focused on those things that are above...those things that are not seen. Praise helps us do this because it adjusts not only our focus but our thinking as well. It reminds us that He is God and we are not. It reminds us that He is the source of all that is good. All that we have...even to our very breath...comes from Him.
Our circumstances in 2020 seemed to change dramatically from day to day, but Jesus did not and does not. He is our Rock of refuge. He is our strong habitation to which we can continually resort. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Our citizenship is in heaven. Our goal is Christlikeness. Stand fast in the Lord, beloved of God, and, as you do, may His song of praise and thanksgiving be continually on your lips. May we “live” today and every day that the Lord gives us, within the light and love of our Jesus. Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him,
Who shelters him all the day long;—Deuteronomy 33:12a
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—Philippians 2:10-11
