There are two readings for today.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD. [Psalm 148:13-14]
The psalmist is full of joy and wonder, and is bursting with this call to praise.
He is urging everyone and everything to praise God, to celebrate His greatness (His splendor above earth and heavens) and His goodness (raised a Savior for the people close to His heart).
God’s awesome, amazing power unleashed on behalf of His humble children!
Praise the Lord, really!

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. [Luke 10:21]
Jesus sees His disciples coming back after unleashing the power of God to liberate those enslaved by demons and suffering – and He is filled with joy.
He is overflowing with praise, because He sees God’s greatness and goodness at work among His humble, needy children – the people close to His heart.
The wise, the rich, the powerful of this world are helpless against the forces of evil in this world, but His humble children are empowered with success!
The people close to His heart – the meek, the weak, the humble, etc. – are the ones that He chooses to reveal His glory and His goodness.
Why else were the shepherds invited to Jesus birth, while the religious leaders did not get an invitation.

This is the essence of the good news, and it is good news to those who are in this position.
But those who are full of themselves, absorbed in their own position or pleasure or priorities, they miss out on it, they refuse to see it and praise Him for it.
Why else is Christianity dying in the west while it is thriving in the struggling two thirds world – which has so little compared to us, and yet have so much more!
Praise is not just called for when things go in our favour; praise is called for all the time, in every circumstance, because God is always over all!
This alone would cure much of western society, if we would heed the call of Psalm 148 and spend much more time praise God, recognizing His worth and praising Him for His purpose and priorities…
Instead of using God for our own purpose and priorities, and only praising Him when things go our way.

PRAYER:
Lord, fill us with this kind of joy, that can celebrate Your greatness and goodness to the poor and needy (those close to Your heart)!