Worthy of Our Praise

Psalm 113

English Standard Version (ESV)

113 ^(A)Praise the Lord!
^(B)Praise, O ^(C)servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

^2 (D)Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
^3 (E)From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    ^(F)the name of the Lord is ^(G)to be praised!

⁴ The Lord is ^(H)high above all nations,
    and his ^(I)glory above the heavens!
^5 (J)Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
⁶ who ^(K)looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
⁷ He ^(L)raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸ to make them ^(M)sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He ^(N)gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
^(O)Praise the Lord!

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+113&version=ESV)

Most people will admit that there is a God but many have their own idea of who that God is.  This scripture makes it very clear as to who He is.  He is above all, the ruler of the nations and more majestic than the sky.  He is all powerful.  When we think of the characteristics of a ruler we may think of the ability they have to control our lives.  We might think of those leaders in the past that abused their power and made life miserable for those under them.  As I read this passage I couldn’t help but fear Him!   Yet the passage goes on to describe His tenderness, compassion, and kindness.   

He is a ruler that does not flaunt His power yet is all powerful.  I think of Jesus being arrested, beaten, and crucified, He could have fought back with a realm of angels but chose to be humble and take the sins of this world upon Himself.  Or, I think of all those times that I have heard His name used in vain and have seen the horrible acts of mankind yet He has been patient and not destroyed this world.  That is the type of God we serve!!!!!!  It is easy to serve the One who cares about the poorest of poorest, has compassion for the brokenhearted, and genuinely cares for us.  We can serve without fear of rejection when we serve as He would want us to serve.   But we need to remember that He is also a just and right God who will judge this world with all of His power and might.  So, we must fear and love Him and recognize who He is.

If you are one that uses His name in a lax manner or thinks that He is just a loving God and won’t judge you, remember who He truly is, the ruler of all.  Use His name to bring glory and praise to Him, the only One that truly deserves praise is our God.  I urge you to seek Him and know that He is God.  He is the God of this universe who is ruler over all, who deserves our respect, our love, and our loyalty.  Remember Him and know that He is GOD.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila