Devotional 5-17-19

Hallelujah!

The Message has been used for this devotion

 Psalm 148

As I sit on our screened-in porch writing, I hear the beautiful sound of birds singing. How long will it last, I ask myself, as the sky darkens in the west, and the wind begins to blow. I think to myself, not again! Is the rain ever going to stop?

And I pick up my laptop and head inside. Settled in and ready to continue, I read the Psalm listed for this week’s devotion, Psalm 148. The Psalm continues along the theme of giving praise, as I learn in verse13, " to the name of God--It’s the only Name worth praising.”  The psalmist mentions God’s angels and warriors in praise of Him. Then he jumps to some of the most beautiful of God’s creation as giving praise as well. Who would think that the sun, the moon, the morning stars, heaven, and yes--even the heavenly rain clouds, would join in praising the name of God!  “Praise, oh let them praise the name of God. He spoke the word, and there they were! He set them in place from all time and eternity, He gave his orders, and that’s it!”

The Psalm goes on to include listing of men and women of the whole world; and animals of all types, shapes and sizes, hills and mountains, and the acts of nature, such as hurricanes, all created by God, the psalmist says, and all should praise Him.

So what is the psalmist trying to say? How does an inanimate object, a non-human without a mind, or feelings, or understanding, praise God? Through their actions, just as we can. The rain beats down heavily on the earth, and its companions, the thunder and lightning, share their praise in concert with it. The stars? They twinkle or shine a steady beam of light from the heavens. The hills and the mountains are joined by the sun and the moon in praising their creator, all day, all night, as their light plays along their valleys.

God’s creatures, both wild and domestic, speak in their own way with growls and howls, with their music compositions, with their tramping and running. Some bark. Some meow. Some moooo. Some baaaa. Their ways of praise for their creator are many and diverse, and I believe they are praising God.

And us? What about us? We can sing our praises or pray directly; just like God’s creations, we can praise Him through our actions. It’s a curious thing that the psalmist includes the creations of God’s world in praise with us!

Lord, your amazing creations join us, and in their own way, praise your Holy Name with us. It is one way to let You know how much we love you, and how grateful we are for Your love.  Amen.

Diane Feaganes