Time to Raise the Praise

I woke-up my computer from its sleep and this view of the Kogelberg Mountains in Kogel Bay, South Africa appeared on my laptop. The Bing search engine provides breathtaking photos of a gorgeous landscape picture. This one gave me pause. I wanted to know more about it. The area is the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and is off limits to visitors. The area’s rich diversity of animals and plants flourish there when visitors don’t invade the area’s privacy. It is said that nowhere on Earth is there a greater floral diversity than here. How free and liberated creation must feel in this gorgeous area. They are probably singing this morning: “It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life for me. And I’m feeling good.” What struck me the most were these rugged, rock-laden shores. I didn’t see them as rugged. I saw them as “rocks crying out”. I remembered the scripture in Luke 19:40 where Jesus declared to the Pharisees who were complaining about the disciples honoring and praising Him so much, “I tell you if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. When the Psalmist penned the words in Psalm 150:6 “Let every-THING that has breath, praise the Lord” – he included in ALL of His creation the ability to be PRAISERS. And, today, I praise my God Who is worthy of all praise. I praise Him for His goodness and mercy. I praise Him for His peace that passes understanding. I praise Him for giving His Son to me as my Lord and Savior and my soon-coming King. Oh, I’m feeling so good! And creation knows how I feel. I hear Michael Buble' belting out this song for me AND all of creation this morning! “Birds flying high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel. It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me, and I'm feeling good. Fish in the sea, you know how I feel. River running free, you know how I feel. Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel, It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me, and I'm feeling good. Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean. Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean. Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean. And this old world, is a new world. And a bold world for me. Stars when you shine, you know how I feel. Scent of the pine, you know how I feel. Oh, freedom is mine. And I know how I feel. It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me, and I'm feeling good." Trees stretch their branches up toward God. I stretch my hands and arms up in praise today. God created all of His creation to offer Him praise. And, if those creatures don’t do their “praising” jobs well, those rocks will start belting out a “hallelujah” chorus! The next time we see a place filled with rocks and boulders, we best offer up praise, so they don’t snag our praising from us! Nothing is impossible with God – so it shouldn’t surprise us in the least if we overhear a rock praising God! If it did, it wouldn’t make a difference to me. Well, it might be startling, but God parted the Red Sea and if He wants to make rocks sing His praises, so be it! But, oh how He longs for us to sing His praises. To raise our voice and give Him the praise due to Him. I intend to let my voice be raised in praise and let those sleeping rocks….sleep on!