Psalm 150:1-2 - Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
In some mountainous regions hikers can shout and hear the sound echoed back to them. Something similar happens in our worship each week, gathering to "praise God in His sanctuary" as we on earth echo the endless praise of saints and angels in God's "mighty heavens." In our worship we often borrow the praise of heaven, as recorded in Holy Scripture, and send the words echoing back to the throne of God.
The prophet Isaiah was given a vision of the Lord enthroned in His temple. Angels called to one another in praise of God: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3b). In our hymns and liturgy, we often use the same words as we say or sing, "Holy, holy, holy!" We send the praise of angels echoing back to the throne of heaven.
Long ago, the fields near Bethlehem resounded with the praise of angels who came from heaven to earth to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The hills may have echoed with their praise: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). We use those words in worship as we too celebrate Jesus' birth.
The apostle John saw God's throne in heaven and heard thousands upon thousands of angels saying, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12b). In hymns and chants we praise the Lamb of God who gave Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.
As the words echo from heaven to earth and back again, we on earth share with the saints and angels in heaven the same reasons for praise. Together we praise God "for His mighty deeds" and "according to His excellent greatness!" We praise God because He created the earth and heavens. He made the echoing mountains, roaring oceans, and quiet valleys. We praise Him for His mighty deeds as He acted in history, calling Abraham to be a blessing to the nations as through his descendants the Lord established and preserved the family line of Jesus the Messiah. We praise God now, and will do so forever, for the gift of His Son, Jesus our Savior. We praise God for our salvation, won through Jesus' death on the cross, and we join with saints and angels to glorify our risen Lord with a word of praise well known in heaven and on earth: "Alleluia!"
Week after week we reflect the praise of heaven in our worship until the day we join the heavenly multitude and cry out together, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10b). Heaven will echo with the praise!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I will praise You forever for Your excellent greatness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. God is pleased with our praises. Name some things in nature you praise Him for?
2. What do you think it means to say the earth is full of the glory of the Lord?
3. While we praise God for His marvelous creation, what has Jesus done to earn even greater praise?
Today's Bible Readings: Ruth 1-4 Luke 17:1-19
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