Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 4-21-21

Psalm 150 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!

Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!

Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!

Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!

Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

The Book of Psalm—the Psalter—begins with chapter one proclaiming two choices for humans to follow as a path for life: 1) a righteous path which God watches over, or 2) a foolish path that leads to destruction. A wise person should view the two choices and know exactly which path to follow. However, throughout the next 149 chapters we see in reality the human heart is easily deceived, as well as inclined toward rebellion against God’s Word. With divine guidance, humanity must face and acknowledge its fallen state, bow humbly, and invite God to restore what the enemy stole—our innocence before God and our devoted worship of his holy presence.

Along with the psalmist, we must also cry out to God and lament our rebellious ways. Because of his agape, he comes as our Shepherd to rescue, redeem, and lead us back into righteousness. The Lord establishes and directs our steps. As we taste the goodness of God and his righteousness, praise fills our lips, joy fills our hearts, and soon we realize the contentment and satisfaction we experience and share when God watches over our lives. So, the psalmist ends the Psalter with our passage today as he calls all of creation to Praise the Lord for his mighty works. Let praise fill your soul!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have laid out the Truth before all your children—sons and daughters. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help me stay the course with you on the path of righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.