I’m not sure there could be a more appropriate place to end a week about the Kingdom of God than Psalm 150!
 
There are no long dissertations about theology, no lofty academic speech, just a summons to all creation: “Hallelujah!” Over and over again, the Psalmist bids us rejoice in the glory of the Lord.
 
So much time is spent trying to define, discuss, or defend the Kingdom, we forget that God really does reign! Worship isn’t an accessory to the Christian life we don for a brief time once a week, it’s expressed allegiance with our entire being before the one True King. He is worthy, His works are amazing, His greatness surpasses all there is, and every breath we have belongs to Him.

And through Jesus, this unprecedented Kingdom has broken into the present, confronting evil, restoring the broken, reordering trust, and moving toward the weak, tired, and wounded. The Kingdom calls us to repent, believe, follow, witness, and worship along the way.

One thing I love about this Psalm is that it gives us language, like so many of the scriptures we’ve seen during this series. Sometimes Kingdom language can become … distorted … in our hands. We like to talk about mission, but relegate worship to singing a few songs. We want justice, but abandon praise. We strive for obedience and forget the joy of the journey. The Kingdom isn’t a pet project or a theological hobby. It is the Reign of God present, exalted, and near.
 
“Let everything that breathes praise the LORD.”

Let the strong, the weary, the certain, the confused, the healed and those still waiting praise the Lord. Let the joyful and the grieving, the heart that shouts with joy and the grief-stricken soul who can barely whisper praise the Lord.
 
Pain is real, but pain isn’t final. Every breath we take in is a gift from the King and every exhale can become praise.The kingdom has come near because the King has come near.
So, I hope you end this week with more than more knowledge and information … I pray you end it with glad and uplifting praise!

How has this week helped clarify what Jesus means by the Kingdom of God? Where do you need to turn understanding and knowledge into worship, surrender, or obedience?

Father, you, and you alone are worthy of praise. Thank you for revealing your goodness and power through Jesus. Help my life become a faithful and heavenly focused response to the coming of the King. Grant me repentance, help me believe and worship. May every breath return to You in praise. Amen.

“Today I can praise the King with my breath by __________________.”