Daily Devotion

Wednesday, January 7, 2026  

Today's Scripture
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 host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

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.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

Reflection

As I read this passage aloud to my coworker, it started off a Bible Camp sing-along of all the different praise songs we learned in the church growing up. But the one that really stuck with me was one we would often sing when there was extra time in children’s choir rehearsal at my church growing up. “All God’s critters got a place in the choir, some sing low, some sing higher, some sing out loud on the telephone wire, and some just clap their hands, or paws or anything they got.”

It is a silly song, but it has an important message. The same message this psalm shares with us. All of God’s creation praises God. Creation is not simply objects for humans to use but fellow worshipers. And while it may be easy to see God being praised in a beautiful sunrise, or a perfect blue-sky day on the lakefront, God created it all. And when God’s creation is doing what it was created to do, it is praising God. Even the bitter cold winter weather.

Most days, I think I would rather be able to sing a silly song to praise God and move on. But God created everything for a purpose, even the cold winter weather. Living into that purpose praises God. And therefore, I continue to discern what God’s purpose for my life is so I can fully praise God.

Prayer

Creator God, open my heart to your inclusive love. Teach me to appreciate all the ways your creation praises you. And use me to my full purpose so that I may fully praise you. Amen.

Written by Katie Patterson, Ministry Team Director

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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