May 21, 2016: SOAP #2361: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; … 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Observation: As he encouraged universal praise to God, the psalmist included the earth itself. Anyone who has walked on the sands of the seashore can testify of the never-ending crescendo as the waves break over the shore. Anyone who has walked on the riverbank as the river meanders in the channel cut through the flat lands or considered the powerful and noisy flow through a canyon can testify that God receives His praise from nature. Anyone who has climbed through the trees standing stately on the side of a mountain and heard the wind moaning through their branches or stood above the tree line on the peak and heard the wind howling across the mountain tops—anyone who has heard the eagle scream, or the new-born robin’s tweet in its nest as it waits for its mother to bring its next meal—and on and on it goes. Everyone has witnessed the praise creation gives its Creator!   All of creation was created for God’s glory and gives praise to God!

Application: How much more should I who can see, and think, and understand, and speak—how much more should I use my voice to praise God. He is not only my Creator; He is my Savior!  He not only sees me in the big picture, He makes me the big picture! He personally treats me as though I am important!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I am humbled as I consider who you are and how much you love me! What can I do for you today? I will join my praise with the praise of all nature that surrounds me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!