Dana Hagstrom – Page 453

Psalm 148 – Praise Who?

Praise God! Everything should praise God according to this psalm. It’s not optional. But this requirement should be a no brainer. Why? Because our God is mighty and worthy of our praise. Our God is being praised by the sun and moon, the animals of the field, creatures of the ocean depths, and even the vapors high in the sky. God’s creation should give thanks and praise for its existence!

Do you ever wonder why God created you? I remember writing many journal entries over the years on that very question. Another variation would be “what is my purpose?” Having spent many Bible studies over the years talking about this, and reading Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life” on several occasions, I think I have a good way to sum it up. My purpose is to love and worship God and help others. That is why I was created.

I know that may sound simple. When we live in such a complicated world, it’s hard to accept something this simple. But God had it all planned out. He created this amazing world and everything in it. Then, he wanted a relationship with what he had created. After all, he did say it was “good”.

Relationships are key, and our relationship with God should be our #1 priority. We have been blessed with many relationships, and we know they must be nurtured and fed to grow strong. The same goes for our relationship with God. He wants to hear our praise and our prayers. He longs for conversations with us.

There is one verse here that made me wonder. Verse 12 talks of who should be praising, and after a list of animals, vegetation and weather, he states “young men and young women, old men and children.” Do you see who’s missing? Old women! Now I’m sure it was just an oversight, because a just a verse before it says “all people”. After all, we know how much emphasis is put on caring for widows and orphans.

So we know our God is worthy of our praise. This psalm reminds us that we are not alone in praising God. Now we just need to do it. What does your life of praise to God look like? Is it restricted to Sunday mornings? What does your grateful praise look like? We don’t all need to sing and dance. Think on that and how you are honoring God.

Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for creating me and giving me a vision to live a life of praise to you. I love you and want my life to glorify you. Help me focus on what is important, YOU, and to give you control over the things in my life that are holding me back. Walk with me and shine through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 147 – Absolute Power

Read Psalm 147

My oh my. The power of God is absolute indeed! This psalmist is overflowing with praise. The word pictures used are exquisite and fresh.

What verse(s) spoke to you today? If you’re not sure, think about what you are going through right now (pain, struggle, happiness, success) and read this psalm again until you see yourself.

Do we see ourselves, maybe as one who fears God, as one with children blessed by God, or living in peace? The fact that God is interacting with us is truly reason to celebrate and sing praise.

I like the weather references, too. Snow like wool, hail being hurled like stones, and frost spread like ashes. What was striking is verse 15, “He sends his orders to the world—how swiftly his word flies!” God is in control, and when he speaks the universe listens.

Lately I’ve heard people referring to “well life has thrown me some curves,” or “the universe will make it right.” These are just a few examples of common thought that rock me to the core. Have heard things like this, too? I just want to shake this people and say – NO! God is in control. God gets the credit for the good. Evil lives and seeks to hurt us, not God, not the universe or “life”. Evil is real. God is real. God is stronger and will prevail.

I think verse 11 is my favorite. “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Isn’t this the key? We want to delight our Lord, and here is our “how to”. In this day and age, with the age of instant gratification and search for knowledge, people want to know how. Here you go – you what to know how to please God, fear him, put your hope in him.

Sometimes it’s hard to put our faith in things we cannot see. But God is God, and while we cannot see him, he is there. Can you see the wind? Yet you feel it on your face or blowing through your hair. It’s there, but you can’t see it. God is in the wind, in the rain, the snow, the hail. He created it, it is his as our we. As these things respond to God’s word, so, too, must we. Are you listening to God? How are you responding?

Let’s pray. Father God, I give you thanks and praise for all that you are and all that you have made me to be. Help me to step outside myself and open up my heart to let you in. I want to place all my trust and hope in you and not leave anything to chance or my own ability. I’m going to need your help to be true to this and not try to take back control. Cleanse me of me and my selfishness so that I can shine with your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 146 – What the Lord Does

Read Psalm 146

Praise the Lord! The final psalms are all going to begin and end with this phrase. What a powerful way to end this beautiful book of the Bible.

The Lord does many things for us. This psalm speaks to us on many levels, and it is likely we can identify with something shared here. Our psalmist states he will praise God until his dying breath. While we don’t know if this is days, months or years, it doesn’t matter, he wants to glorify God for ALL his days. Not just on those days he feels good.

How about us? Do we have this kind of praise attitude? These final psalms may be a good wake up call for us to put more praise in our lives. We aren’t to put our confidence in other humans, even smart and successful ones, but in God.

So what does the psalmist believe God is doing or has done? He made everything; keeps his promises; gives justice; feeds the hungry; frees prisoners; heals the blind, lifts up those who are burdened, loves the godly, protects the foreigners, cares for orphans and widows, and frustrates the plans of the wicked. What a list!

God is going to do this forever. Are there any items on this list that surprise you? What ones are missing–what would your list include?

It certainly is not an exhaustive list. Take a moment to resonate on just one of these. What does this “deed” say to you? If you’re like me, your heart cannot help but be overwhelmed with gratitude and praise.

We are children with an inheritance for eternity. God is living, working and doing these things in our midst now and forever. How can we not be moved?

Let’s pray. Father God I give you thanks and praise for all you do for me. I am blessed beyond measure by your goodness and grace. You are my king and I am grateful. You have rescued me and set my feet on solid ground. You have given me a mission, and I pray that you will walk beside to help me execute. May I keep my eyes on you and use the gift you have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 145 – Worthy of Praise

Read Psalm 145

David is exalting his God in a mighty way in this psalm, don’t you think? The focus stays on our mighty God the whole time. There are no cries for rescue or requests for condemnation of his foes.

I found this psalm very uplifting. As I am facing a new challenge in my life, this was a very good reminder of who is in charge. My God is mighty and much better equipped to face my foes and challenges than I. There are so many good examples of God’s attributes here to remind us all of the great God we follow and serve.

We are reminded of the majesty of God, too. Which of these spoke to you most today?

My God is King, majestic and filled with glorious splendor. He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. He reigns with majesty and glory, and his kingdom will last forever. God always keeps his promises. He is gracious. He satisfies and is close. He is filled with kindness and protects all who love him. What a God we have!

We are still blessed today by God’s wonderful miracles and awe-inspiring deeds. I’d love if you’d share an experience of witnessing a miracle in the comments below. We need to share these stories.

I love how the psalm ends, “I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.” This should be our mantra today and always.

Let’s pray. Lord you are great and worthy to be praised. May everything that passes from my mouth today bring glory to you. I love that you are close, ready to comfort, give strength, and bless us. Help me in all I do today. Fill me with your grace so that all conversations I have may be inspired by you. Bless those who do not yet know you or who are away. May they yearn and look for you so they, too, can bless your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 144 – God First

Read Psalm 144

No matter what you are doing right now, you are doing exactly what God wants. He wants you to put him first, above whatever else you could be doing right now.

Sometimes it’s hard to shut out the world and all of it’s demands and distractions. For me, today, I am having internet problems. It may seem like a little thing to most people, but when that is the tool you use to help share with the world, it’s like coming to a roadblock or detour along your route.

I long to spend time with God, and my devotion time is precious to me. I hope it that way for you. If not, please visit these short devotionals and use them as a way to springboard back into your relationship with God.

This psalm will speak to each of us a little differently depending on what we are going through or where in our journey we are. For today, I’m going to focus on verse 3. “O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?”

Who Am I is a great song that really drives this verse home for me. Listen to it here.

We are only here for a flash in time when compared to eternity. I am constantly in awe of a God who could love EVERYONE and everything he created. Isn’t that just hard to comprehend?

Jesus has paid the price! He is our salvation. Little did the psalmist know, who would personify his cry of verse 11, “Save me! Rescue me fro”m the power of my enemies.”

Our Savior and King reigns and I agree with verse 15. “Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.” Are you feeling joyful today?

Let’s pray. Lord, despite all of the trials and new directions my day can take, I am with you now. Thank you for walking with me through my frustration and helping me to feel peace. You are my strength, my shield, and my stronghold. I want to be your shining light. Help me to truly enter into a time of honor and praise to you. There is so much to be grateful for, and all if it is from you, Lord. Thank you for this day and another opportunity to sing your praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.