The Psalms

I find comfort in the Psalms, as many do and I've decided I'm going to meditate on a Psalm everyday as part of some devotions. Some days i'd like to share what I read and meditate on with you (my commited readers!). Lucky you..

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels, praise him all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him all you shining stars

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord for he commanded and they were created. He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. .

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightening and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men, and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. He has raised up for his people a horn, the praises of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord

You remember how when you were a kid and you wanted to prolong bedtime - you would take your time saying goodnight to everything..?? Or that kids book.. that we have 3 of - Goodnight Moon.... This reminds me of that.. because here the Psalmist is making a continous list (that sentence starting in vs. 7 goes an until vs. 12... ) of all that can and does praise the Lord. That is a lot of praising! Things that I would never imagine to be praising God are praising him.. Cattle.. cattle are called to praise God - and you all always laughed at me for liking cows.. - see God likes them too! Enough to be praised by them. Sea Creatures - in case you were in doubt of their existence.. they are praising God - all that God created are commanded to praise him.

That includes me.. and I know that I do not praise God nearly as much as those cattle do... so here today I am praising God..

I'm praising him for my new baby boy.. who is chunky and giggles and doesn't sleep and brings such joy to his mommy and daddy.. I praise God for Asher.

I'm praising God for a husband whose organization skills match my own.. or lack of... who is a hard worker and dreams big, who takes care of me and Asher and all our little kitty cats who have come to call us home..

I'm praising God for my family, for the strength they gain from trials, for laughter over Walter the farting dog.. for new babies and for perserverance..

I'm praising God for a job with people who love me and John and especially Asher. For students who are excited about missions and serving, for kids who want to be Christmas trees and know the greatest gift of all is Christ.

I'm praising God for HIS faithfulness and mercy and forgiveness and love..

I don't ever want to be outdone in praising by the cattle or the sea creatures.. So in all things I will praise God.

What can you praise God for today?