Everything Praise Him

December 29

(Psalms 148:1-14 NIV) "Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. {2} Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. {3} Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. {4} Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. {5} Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. {6} He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. {7} Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, {8} lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, {9} you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, {10} wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, {11} kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, {12} young men and maidens, old men and children. {13} Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. {14} He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord."

God created everything to praise Him. It’s not that the Lord needs praise -- God needs nothing. It’s just that the nature of the creation is to praise its Creator. When creation is in tune with its Creator, praise happens. Angels, sun, moon, stars, oceans, sky, lightning, hail, snow, clouds, winds, mountains, trees, cattle, birds, kings, princes, nations, men, women, and children -- all these were created to praise the Lord. Animate or inanimate, all things are capable of bringing glory to God when they face Him and are used by Him. It’s when we turn away that chaos and disharmony ensue. It began with humanity’s fall in the Garden and continues to happen when we refuse to face our Creator and honor Him. As this year winds down, may everything within our control face the Creator and give Him glory. Let it begin with us. Turn your face toward Jesus and fix your gaze upon Him. Praise the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day