Six times in Psalm 113 we are told both actively and passively to “praise the LORD” (verses 1, 2, 3, and 9). Praising God is our privilege, our responsibility, and our proper response to Him Who created us. Praise pleases God. We are to praise Him both “now and forevermore – from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets” (verses 2-3). We observe that He “is exalted over all the nations; His glory is above the heavens, and He sits enthroned on high” (verses 4-5). Verse 5 also asks the rhetorical question, “Who is like the LORD our God?” Of course, the answer is no one and nothing is like God, for He is unique and incomparable. He “sits above the heavens and stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth” (verses 4-5). In this action, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts up the needy from the ash heap – seating them with princes – and settling the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children” (verses 7-9). Objectively, He recognizes individuals on different echelons and sees them all on an equal level before Him. Exalted and glorious, God stands above, outside of, and beyond His creation, yet He transcends the created order in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Who else could do or has done this? For this reason alone, we must honor God perpetually with our praise. Praise pleases God.
Today, we conclude this outstanding book of Isaiah with chapters 65:17-66:24. Here, we read about God’s promises to “create new heavens and a new earth – the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (cf., 65:17). This section is consistent with what we read in Revelation 21:1. In His new creation, there will “never again be an infant who lives but a few days or an old man who does not live out his years – the people will be blessed by the LORD … the wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the serpent will eat dust for food, and they will neither harm nor destroy” any more (verses 20-25). All the causes and effects of sin will be completely removed, and His new creation will be everything we desire – and then some – favorable and full of repeated “delight;” there will be no more weeping or crying (verses 18-19). Chapter 66 presents a summary of Isaiah’s messages, which include the coming of the LORD, the rebirth of the state of Israel, and the glory of Jerusalem (verses 5-14); the day of judgment, the nations added to the kingdom, and the new heavens and the new earth (verses 15-24). Our readings in Isaiah have been exciting, and we follow the lessons taught in Psalm 113 – to please God by saying, “Praise the LORD!”
Ephesians 5:8-33 describes our incredible transformation from “darkness to light,” for which reason we not only should praise God, but also we should try to “find out what pleases” Him (verses 8-19). Surely, praising God pleases Him, but Paul also tells us to “Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but as wise – making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil … understand what the Lord’s will is” (verses 15-17). Indeed, the days we live in are evil, and deceptive sin is all around us. Here, we are advised to pursue this life carefully. It takes no care whatsoever to be foolish about life and squander it, but it takes a great deal of daily, deliberate care to live prudently. We are to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” (verse 18) and to “make music in our hearts to the Lord” (verse 19). These actions do not come by accident; they are intentional, and we must strive to please God. In verses 22-33, Paul shares about the relationship between husbands and wives – establishing that Christ’s relationship to His church is our model. “Husbands, love your wives … as Christ gave Himself up for His church” (verse 25). Our readings today show us that the entire Word of God becomes our handbook for pleasing God.
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