Psalm 113:1-6 "Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. (2) Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. (3) From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (4) The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. (5) Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, (6) Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!"
As I read this Psalm this morning, my mind drifted to the thought that many of
the Psalms begin with the words, "Praise ye the LORD." This one
speaks it twice in the first verse and then proceeds to give many reasons why
we should constantly be giving praise and honor unto the Lord. We saw yesterday
that His name is precious and is to be praised "from this time forth and
for evermore." We should be aware of the presence of the Lord from the
moment we wake until we go to sleep at night. He is glorious beyond anything
you and I could ever imagine. When we look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset, we
can know that it is a mere muted reflection of the glory of our Heavenly
Father. There is no one or nothing that can begin to compare to Him. His power,
wisdom, compassion and love go beyond anything we have ever seen or
experienced.
But I have to say that the verse that captured my attention this morning is
verse 6. It says that God "humbleth himself to behold the things that are
in heaven, and in the earth!" God humbles Himself to look at the things on
earth that we see as the most beautiful things ever created. God humbles
Himself to look at me and hear my feeble prayers. God humbles Himself to reach
down and lift me out of my low valleys. God humbles Himself to rejoice with me
in the mountaintop experiences. Why would it say that God humbles Himself? Paul
tells us that we cannot even begin to imagine what heaven is like or what it
looks like. God uses earthly things to describe its glory, but I believe that
is a fraction of the true glory of heaven. Our Heavenly Father hears angels
declaring 24 hours a day, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God
Almighty." Even in that beautiful sound, He humbles Himself to
listen to me. We think we have an idea of what heaven is like, but I have to
believe we cannot fathom its pure glory for one main reason - When we get
there, we will see Jesus, HImself! Hallelujah!!
Jesus "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross." (Philippians 2:7-8)
1 We read of a place that’s called heaven, It’s made for the pure and the free;
These truths in God’s Word He hath given, How beautiful heaven must be.
2 In heaven no drooping nor pining, No wishing for elsewhere to be;
God’s light is forever there shining, How beautiful heaven must be.
4 The angels so sweetly are singing, Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing, How beautiful heaven must be.
Refrain:
How beautiful heaven must be, Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary, How beautiful heaven must be.