today's meditation (Ps.148) Praising the Lord

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 148:1-14) 

1   Praise the Lord!
     Praise the Lord from the heavens;
     Praise Him in the heights!
2   Praise Him, all His angels;
     Praise Him, all His heavenly armies!
3   Praise Him, sun and moon;
     Praise Him, all stars of light!
4   Praise Him, highest heavens,
     And the waters that are above the heavens!
5   They are to praise the name of the Lord,
     For He commanded and they were created.
6   He has also established them forever and ever;
     He has made a decree, and it will not pass away.

7   Praise the Lord from the earth,
     Sea monsters, and all the ocean depths;
8   Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
     Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9   Mountains and all hills;
     Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Animals and all cattle;
     Crawling things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
     Rulers and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
     Old men and children.

13 They are to praise the name of the Lord,
     For His name alone is exalted;
     His majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
     Praise for all His godly ones,
     For the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
     Praise the Lord!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

All of creation will bow and praise the Lord.  And one day, even those who chose to reject Jesus, will have no choice but to bow before Him, as they stand trial for all their sins.  It sounds harsh, but everyone has been given a conscience.  Even nature is a testimony to God's truth and glory (Romans 1).  And God knows and gives each person a fair amount of time, as He desires that all come to know Him.  We were all created with the purpose to be in His family and have a close personal relationship with Him!

Israel has been given covenants which will be fulfilled in the Milennium, but even there, it requires that each individual has made a personal decision to believe in Jesus.  For all of those, for His people, God has lifted up a horn.  This is a symbol of royalty, dignity and power, dominion, glory, fierceness and strength.  Israel will experience this in the Milennium as well as in heaven.  For all believers, we will experience this in heaven.  As for right now, God is "on our side" for all of those who are on His side!  Let us not be afraid to praise Him, for He is exalted and worthy!