Do You Feel the Joy of Life?
Good Morning Friends,
In meditating on today’s psalm it drew my mind not just to creation but also to the burning bush, and Moses receiving the law at Mount Sinai and the sign of Jonah and the life of Christ. It drew my attention to the inherent sacredness and enduring sacredness of every place we walk when we walk with Jesus. It drew my attention to our call as transcendent beings to the heavenly world. It drew my attention to God’s questions for Job and the conclusion that even though I do not understand it all I can still have joy that the earth is the Lord’s. Indeed the whole earth and heaven is holy ground. Do You Feel the Joy of Life?
Scripture: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 148:1-14 (NRSV)
The Lord said, “Indeed, the whole earth is mine.”
Exodus 19:5 (NRSV)
“‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:4-7 (NRSV)
Message: Our universal praise of all creation is indeed well merited. Today’s psalm, is a Song of Creation which itself, in a way, is also a meditation on Genesis 1. The scripture is a song of praise of the cosmos that frees us, when it grows hot with our musings about grand things, but also, as Jesus taught us to delight in the little things as well. It is an environmentalist’s psalm with an imperative appeal that we not exalt ourselves above God. The psalm rejoices with praise in the wisdom and glory of the Lord who has made such a wonderful world. Still it calls us to worship the Creator not creation. Amazingly the moon, the stars and the sun are placed just so creation can blossom; and so too the Son’s actions in creation placed so spiritual life might blossom. We are called… in fact everything that has breath has been summoned to praise the Lord. And at the core of creation is the joy and challenge of the amazing thing we call relationships. There is no doubt in my mind that God created us to have relationships, one with another and also with God. And so today we pray for those ways we might have more harmonious relationships in this creation even into a new creation.
Pray with praise for God’s good creation. Pray we are good stewards worthy of praise. Pray His glory not be concealed by the clouds of human sin. Pray even now, that we have the right motives. Pray we honor God’s creation with continual praises. Pray we heed His call. Pray we realize that we too walk on Holy Ground when we have Jesus in our hearts. Pray we understand we are to worship the Creator but honor as good stewards His creatures and creation. Pray He call us and proclaim His sovereignty in us and send the Spirit, the wind of His wisdom to guide us. Pray with praise for the Lord and this glorious creation He has made. Pray He never grows tired of us. Pray we not have selfish ambitions. Pray we not be conceited. Pray our humility grows. Pray we be more considerate of others. Pray we develop the character of Christ so we might enjoy life in abundance.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 