Saturday, September 29, 2018

EmmDev 2018-09-29 [Celebrating Creation] Creation's Grand Finale: Praise the Lord


Creation's Grand Finale: Praise the Lord

We've reached the end of our series on Creation.
Right at the end of the Psalms in Ps 148 we find a picture of all creation and all of humankind being called to worship the Creator.

As the worship of the Psalms comes to full crescendo, all parts of creation are called to be part of the glorious song of praise. The psalm breaks into three rough parts:
1. Praise the Lord from the Heavens.
2. Praise the Lord from the Earth.
3. Praise our Exalted God who brings Salvation.

The Heavens are called to bring praise to God. In the list are the Angels, the Sun, Moon and Stars and the waters above the skies. His majesty is reflected and showcased in sunrises, rainbows, countless stars and so much more. And why should these heavenly beings and bodies praise? Because God has created them and "set them in place for ever and ever".

The inhabitants of the Earth are called to praise. The oceans and sea creatures, the clouds and winds, the mountains and trees, the big animals, the little animals and birds and all kinds of people (ranging across status, gender and age) are called to offer praise.

And we praise Him because "His name alone is exalted and his splendour is above the earth and the heavens. Our Hubble telescopes tell us the universe is still expanding from from that incredible moment of creation. Our electron microscopes tell us that there is incredible power in the tiny atom and gigabytes of storage in the human genome. God is awesome and creation showcases His awesomeness.

Finally we praise Him because: "He has raised up for his people a horn". In OT poetry and prophecy the horn represents power, salvation and the Messiah. We saw earlier this week that creation is broken and suffering. Creation groaned as it waited for the Saviour who came and died on the cross to make us and creation whole. Soon He will return to complete that work because we are close to His heart.

And all of creation will rejoice!

Enjoy the Psalm!

1 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.      (Psalms148:1-14)



Hope you've enjoyed the series!
For October we'll be joining in our Denomination's Month of Mission. Devotions will be written by ministers from all across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It's going to be good.....
God bless and Love,
Theo