Psalm 148 is the psalm appointed for this Sunday. When you read it, therefore, try to think of it in an Easter context. Yes, all of creation (and we should too) praise the Lord because he is the Creator, but more than that - we also praise because he is our Redeemer! This psalm is not just about the mighty work of God in creating and sustaining all things, but also about defeating our enemies: sin, death, and the devil. This is why there is talk about God raising up a "horn" for his people. This is strange language for our context. But the people of that day understood it to have a Salvation connotation. There is a battle, there is victory, and the people are saved. God has raised up a Messiah to conquer and win the war for the people of God.
We see this fulfilled on Easter, when Christ is raised to prove that Jesus is who he says he is; Jesus does what he says he does; and Jesus has the power he claimed to have had!
Tying this into our Jeremiah reading, we are warned not to look to anyone else for help, protection, and salvation. In Jeremiah 42 the people are warned that when troubles fall upon them they are NOT to flee to Egypt. God is our refuge and strength, not Egypt. God is our ever present help in trouble, not Egypt. Not Egypt and not anything else either.
Our salvation and victory come through Jesus and Him alone - crucified and risen from the dead. Keep that in mind as you read today. And, "Let us praise the name of the Lord!" Amen!
Read Psalm 148
Read Jeremiah 42
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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