SOAP 12/19/2015; Psalm 148:11-12

Today's reading: John 5, 6*

S) "¹¹ Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
¹² Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children."

Psalm 148:11-12 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 148

O) In this song, all of creation is called to praise the LORD. Angels and heavenly beings, everything in space (and "waters that are above the heavens" which are not clouds... that's a mystery; see vv.4, 8), all earthly creatures, including sea monsters, beasts, bugs, and birds. The non-sentient things of this world, like mountains and trees. Then, perhaps the most poignant, is the inclusion of the elements in this call to worship. In verse 8, fire, hail, snow, clouds, and wind are all called to praise God as well. So, in this call to praise, the psalmist is including virtually everything that has been created. In the poetic hyperbole, there isn't anything excepted from this call. So finally, in the above verses, humanity is called to praise Him. In these two verses, not every kind of person is described. However, just like so many examples of various things from creation are named to indicate the all-inclusive call, eight different kinds of people are named in these two verses, to indicate that it is every single person, every type of person, that is called to praise the LORD. No one is excluded from praising God.

A) Without reading this psalm, I would certainly still be feel called to praise the LORD. I don't praise God because the Bible tells me to praise Him. God has opened my eyes to see all of the glorious ways He has been at work in my life. Although I don't always see it coming, He has made it clear that His hand has been upon me. He has revealed Himself to me through my own past, this has become my testimony of Him. He is faithful and good. He provides and heals. He answers my prayers. This is not to say that He would be any less deserving of praise if He had not done these things for me. After all, if even the most unchanged things in creation have cause to praise Him just for being created (like a star), then how could I be any less obligated to praise? But, the truth remains that He has been so good to me, too! So, I will praise Him, not only because of His relationship to me (and with me, but He instigated the relationship, so it was first to me), but also simply because I am His creation. I am His workmanship, and part of my purposeful design was to give the LORD my praise.

P) Father, You are holy, righteous and merciful. You are perfect in Your justice and Your faithfulness. You are glorious, and deserving of every praise from every form of Your creations! I know that I can praise You with my words, whether in song, or prayer, or testimony. But I also want to give You praise with my behavior, Lord. Please continue to discipline me as a son, that I would keep learning to live a life of obedience, repentance, forgiveness, and love. Help me to be generous, kind, peaceable, and joyful. Please give me wisdom and understanding, patience and contentment. All of this, God, to Your glory and praise. Whether in famine or feasting, whether in wealth or poverty, whether in sickness or in health, in everything, let me praise You with my lips and with my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.