CELEBRATIONS ACROSS REALMS

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the EARTH and HEAVEN” – Psalm 148:13

God is worthy of all worship! To Him belongs CELEBRATIONS accross REALMS – Heaven and earth; Temporal and Eternal; Terrestrial and Celestial: “Let HEAVEN and EARTH praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them” (Psa.69:34). Again, “Let the HEAVENS rejoice, and let the EARTH be glad; let the sea roar, and its fullness” (Psa.96:11). Isaiah proclaimed: “Sing, O HEAVENS, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the EARTH; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel” (Isa.44:23). Isaiah 49:13 says, “Sing, O HEAVENS! Be joyful, O EARTH! And breakout in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.” Celebration never ceases in Heaven. The choice is ours whether to key in on earth!

Revelation 4 illustrates the celestial dimension: “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev.4:8). Isaiah 6: 1-3 paints a similar portrait: “...I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” Heaven’s throne room is ever-filled with sounds of worship. The four living creatures give unceasing adoration to the One on the throne: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (v.8b).

Creation’s song of praise – led by the four living creatures – serves as a call to worship for the twenty-four elders. God’s people cannot help but to respond in worship when surrounded by the authentic, enthusiastic praises of the rest of creation.

All God’s people in His Church Universal – young and elder­ly, seekers and established followers – are called to cele­brate the Lord, joining the rest of creation to say: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (v.11). Our Creator and Life-sustainer is worthy to receive our praise always and to be celebrated in both realms! All of all creation honours God as Creator and Lord over all – the only One worthy of all praise. Creation constantly celebrates God by proclaiming His Glory: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge” (Psa.19:1-2).

Let’s together recite our Meditation text, Psalm 148:

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the HEAVENS; Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.

He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the EARTH, you great sea creatures and all the depths; fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints – of the children of Israel, a people near to Him.

Praise the LORD!”