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.

Did you get the message of this portion of Psalm? Do you understand the need to praise the Lord and the sense of urgency that goes with that need? When we consider that our God is praised and worshipped by the angels and by all of the heavenly hosts, how can we as mere mortals, not praise him? God spoke into existence all creation and that creation declares praise to him. We gaze at the moon, we bask in the warmth of the sun and we share the stars with our children. As we do these things, are we filled with awe for our God who made it all?

Perhaps it is because our lives have been filled with so much “make believe” in the movies and television that we at times fail to recognize the reality of the greatness of God. We entertain our minds with fairy tales and fail to grasp the splendor of his glory. Praise the Lord, he is an awesome God!

As we begin to appreciate his majesty, we must never lose sight of his love for each of us as individuals. We are his children and he loves us and cares for us. He feeds the animals of the wild and gives the birds their nesting place. Jesus said that if God, who clothes the grass that is gone tomorrow and feeds the sparrow (that we consider worthless), then we should not doubt that he will care for us and provide our needs.

One of the great needs that each of us has is the longing to feel truly loved and appreciated – so much so that in spite of all our failings – we want a relationship with God. Praise the Lord, that relationship is based on what he has done for us and not what we can do for him! God loves us so much that even while we were his enemy, he gave his Son to die in our place – for our sin. Since that bond is based on his love and his doing, there is nothing on this earth (other than our own desire to do so) that can separate us from the love of God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I praise you O God. Fill me with your Spirit, in a special way that I will praise you in everything I do and say today. Help me align my life to your will by allowing your Spirit to transform my heart. I ask you to use me today to help and to encourage others around me to be brought closer to you. Forgive me when I fail. I pray in the name of Jesus, my savior and Lord.

May God bless each of us as we live for him and praise him today.