“Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.”

 

Psalm 103:22 (NIV)

Rev. YuJung Hwang

 

Imagine standing in a rainforest. Water rushes over the rocks. Birds call from the trees. Leaves move in the wind. Everywhere we look, life surrounds us. Even without words, creation seems to be praising God. Psalm 103 ends with a beautiful invitation: “Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (Psalm 103:22). Everything God has created points us back to the goodness and greatness of our Creator.

 

Last week, our church was filled with the energy of Vacation Bible School and the theme of Rainforest Falls, and today our children and their families will be worshipping God together. Children have been singing, laughing, learning, and discovering more about God. In the middle of all the excitement, we are reminded of a simple truth: we were created to praise the Lord.

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Praise is more than singing a song on Sunday morning. We praise God when we notice

his goodness. We praise God when we give thanks for a new day, care for one another,

serve with joy, and celebrate the beauty of God’s creation.

 

Sometimes life becomes so busy that we forget to notice what God is doing around us. Yet the trees, the rain, the birds, and even the sound of children’s laughter can remind us: God is here. God is good. God is worthy of our praise.

 

The psalmist does not only call creation to praise. He ends by speaking to his own soul: “Praise the Lord, my soul.”

 

Today and this week, look around. Listen. Pay attention. Where do you see God’s

goodness? Then join all creation and say with your life, “Praise the Lord!”

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Scripture for the Week:

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Sunday – Psalm 103:22

Monday – Genesis 1:31

Tuesday – Psalm 19:1–4

Wednesday – Psalm 96:11–12

Thursday – Isaiah 55:12

Friday – Psalm 150:6