Richard Smallwood & Vision – “Anthem of Praise”
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)
…and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev 4:8 (KJV)
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev 4:11 (KJV)
Are You Breathing? Then Praise the Lord!
Saint John on Patmos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
All who truly love and reverence the Lord praise Him because of the exceeding magnificence of Who He is. In Heaven, praise is continuous. The Apostle John gives an eyewitness’ description of Heavenly praise that is rich, timeless and frightening. We find it frightening because of its vastness. A voice speaks to John that has the sound of a trumpet. We see God’s throne, with an emerald rainbow arched above it. Four beasts “full of eyes”are round about the throne. 7 lamps burn and a sea of glass stretches forth before the throne of the Most High GOD. The most familiar are 24 elders dressed in white as a symbol of the righteousness of God. The elders wear crowns of gold – a reward given to those who overcome. Beyond the merging of the brightness and essence of precious stones with rainbows, we see strange beasts full of eyes that speak, fulfilling the command of Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” The strange beasts praise the Lord. The 24 elders praise the Lord. Their praise is continuous.
Our modern world is so different! Millions of young people travel through their days with cell phones pressed to their ears in continuous conversation with peers. Music streams discreetly into our brains via ear buds or head phones. Bright screens flicker entertainment that ranges from comedy, science, and religion to the most vile and violent words and shocking sexual behaviors that violate every taboo ever established. All day, everyday, this cacophony of confusion assaults our senses. Now and again we read and hear the words O my God (OMG)! But, OMG is a petty exclamation, not a shout of praise.
Like paupers with arthritic fingers scrounging for pennies at the bottom of a moth-eaten purse, we scratch for both time and instance to praise the Lord. We struggle to sit in God’s presence. We read a few verses, perhaps even memorize them, and we think we have done well. We struggle to get on our knees. We whisper prayers as though we are in a conspiracy. People think those who shout the praises of the Lord are strange. “Holy rollers” are objects of private ridicule. Will we ever take the muzzle off the mouth of praise? We certainly will praise God without restraint in Heaven. Meanwhile, stop hunting for reasons to praise God. Decide now to praise God “on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!!
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
– Verneda
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“Anthem of Praise” by Richard Smallwood and Vision was posted on Youtube.com by Gregory Slack. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership of this video. It is is used for educational purposes only.
