Psalm 148:1-6

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.” vss.5-6

Humans have always struggled to find adequate ways to describe God, and in these latter days have even had trouble with the word “God.” Some have found other nouns that have been more satisfying, words like “the force,” or “the universe.” Others prefer terms like “mother nature” or “mother earth.” The difficulty with these references is the same now as it has always been…they’re just too limiting! The psalmist didn’t have the benefit of our scientific knowledge…he may not have even known that the earth was round or that it revolved around the sun. But he did know that God was greater than any part of the creation, that even the universe could not contain God. In his day folks were drawn to worship the sun, moon, and stars…he didn’t want anything to do with such notions. That which was created could not substitute for the creator! In these verses he invites all creation to offer praise to the name of the Lord. We do indeed live in a spectacular universe and it’s full of all sorts of mysterious wonders. And the more we learn through our space probes and endless exploration, the more we are bound to offer praise and thanksgiving to the One who was in the beginning, and through whom all things have come to be.

Thought for the Day: What substitutes have I found for the word “God”?