2/8/13  Psalm 148  Praise the Lord.  "Praise for all His godly ones; even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him" ( v. 14)   When was the last time I praised God for His godly ones?  For brothers and sisters who live for God and serve Him faithfully.   Praise God for teachers and preachers, for those who are making the Name of the Lord, the Gospel of Christ Jesus known in churches and on mission fields, in homes and in communities.   Praise the Lord for faithful men and women who live out simple lives of faith and godliness.  Brings to mind a precious man who passed into glory this past week.  He truely had the gift of encouragement.  A simple word "Thank you" from him when I sang in church was such an encouragement to me.  It made a difference.  Praise God for men like this.  Praise God for my husband, who is so faithful in serving.  He definitely has that gift.  He serves at church, mowing, mopping, moving tables and chairs, making coffee.... whatever is necessary. Even when others have treated him poorly, he serves.   He serves those in need in the community, often sacrificing his own money, time, and physical strength.  And he serves me, in so many ways, from doing dishes to setting out a cup for my morning tea.  Praise the Lord for this godly man.

Ezekiel 30-31  Egypt and Assyria are the next nations to come under judgement from God.  Egypt is proud of his power,  Assyria was proud because of its beauty.  But no matter how strong or how wonderful a nation looks on the outside, wickedness on the inside is judged by Almighty God.
They are brought down.  Humbled.  And "they will know that I am the Lord".  God is over all!
He causes lamentations.
He closes the deep ( seas)  and holds back rivers.
He stops water from feeding the mightiest of trees.
He makes nations quake.
He makes them fall and be buried.
He takes down to Sheol those who are slain.

The voice of the Shepherd:   What is true of nations is true for each of us.  It does not matter how much power or beauty or money etc that we have.  The outside, mortal, temporary status of life on this earth is not what counts.  It is what is in our hearts.  If we are wicked inside... God will take us down.  Our hearts are known by God.  When He humbles us we will know that He is the Lord.  There is not a man or woman on this planet that will not be humbled before God.  We can humble ourselves by repenting and turning to Him,  or He will bring us down to Sheol, to eternal judgement.  Let us come willingly to the One Who sits on the Throne and bow before Him and worship Him alone.