Ordinary Time
When roadblocks appear in your life, calm down and pray for God’s Spirit, the giver of hope and direction, to guide you.
Praise God that the Spirit is at work in your life.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all you ocean depths! Do the same, fire and hail, snow and smoke, stormy wind that does what God says! Do the same, you mountains, every single hill, fruit trees, and every single cedar! Do the same, you animals—wild or tame—you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly! Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person, you princes and every single ruler on earth! Do the same, you young men—young women too!— you who are old together with you who are young!
Psalm 148:7-12
“Praise the Lord; do the same!” While not unusual to hear instructions from the psalmist to “Praise the Lord!,” we are not as familiar with a command, actually five separate commands, for “sea monsters, fruit trees, wild animals, royalty, and young people” to “Praise the Lord!”
The reality is that this Psalm and these instructions cause us to remember creation and return us to the beginning, where our memories and spirits are refreshed and we are absorbed in the knowledge that all creation is to “Praise the Lord!”
It says in Genesis 1:31: “God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.” Praise the Lord! This is a message of hope for us today. Our God who is a powerful Creator is also the God who creates light in the midst of darkness.
Ka’thy Gore Chappell
Creator God, at times it is difficult to remember to praise you. When faced with problems and worries, I feel overwhelmed. Remind me of the strength and beauty of your creation. Your power gives me hope. Praise the Lord! Amen.
Go with God courageously into the world to face life’s barriers.
Go with God confidently to overcome them.
Praise the Lord!