God Promises to be Close to You

Psalm 148:2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts….7a Praise the LORD from the earth…12 young men and maidens, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens, 14 He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones, the people of Israel who are close to him.
 
COULD you sing, “Praise the LORD!” to God if he were only your friend, if he had no absolute control over the universe or your life? You might say, “I’m thankful for my friend, Jesus. He loves me.” But would you believe he has the power to save you into eternal life if you do not know him as the Divine Son of God? Friends can’t save you. But the Almighty God can.
   The psalm is a call to worship God for his majesty over the universe (verse 1-6), the earth (verses 7-10) and mankind (verses 11-12). In response to his infinite, glorious creation, God’s people should praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted.
   One purpose of worship is to help us to remember the height of his power over the universe and the depth of his personal love for us. To properly worship God, we must know he is more than a friend. He is LORD God Almighty.
   Out of his manifest goodness has come a universe that follows a precise order to display his glory. No thing in God’s creation is an accident. All is under the perfect creation. He calls us to worship him, so we may exercise the privilege to exalt his name.
   One way this is done is with the Doxology, which means “an expression of praise to God”. The Doxology is often sung at the receiving of the weekly offering, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” This restates Psalm 148 – a call to the heavens, the earth and all people to praise and exalt God’s name. Indeed, he has made his people strong to honor his name, to live in faithful obedience to his laws, so by his grace we live in peace.
   As God prepared to give Israel the Ten Commandments and other laws he said to Israel: Exodus 19:5 “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” God’s will was that Israel would be a nation of strength, and he would honor his faithful ones, the people of Israel who are close to him.
   This promise points to the potential of your life in Christ now and forever. Faithfully honor God’s name. Worship all he is. You will know he is close to you.