**The Kingdom of Everlasting Praise**
In the days when the kingdoms of men rose and fell like the tides of the sea, there lived a man named Eliab in the city of Jerusalem. He was a scribe, a keeper of records, but more than that, he was a man who loved the Lord with all his heart. Every morning, as the golden sun stretched its fingers over the Mount of Olives, Eliab would climb to the rooftop of his humble home, unroll a scroll of parchment, and begin to write.
This day was no different. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming fig trees, and the distant sound of Levites singing in the Temple courts drifted on the breeze. Eliab dipped his quill into ink and began to inscribe the words of a psalm—Psalm 145—a song of David, a hymn of praise to the King of all kings.
**”I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever,”** he wrote, his hand moving steadily. As the words flowed from his pen, his heart swelled with devotion. He paused, looking toward the Temple, where the morning sacrifice smoke curled heavenward. *How great is our God,* he thought, *that He should permit such unworthy lips to praise Him!*
Eliab’s mind wandered to the stories of old—of how the Lord had delivered Israel from Egypt, how He had parted the Red Sea, fed His people with manna, and brought them into a land flowing with milk and honey. **”Every day I will bless You,”** he continued writing, **”and praise Your name forever and ever.”**
Just then, his young son, Nathan, climbed the steps to the rooftop, his face alight with curiosity. “Father, what are you writing?”
Eliab smiled and drew the boy close. “Words of truth, my son. Words that declare the greatness of our God.” He pointed to the parchment. **”Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.”**
Nathan’s eyes widened. “But how can God be *so* great that no one can search it all out?”
Eliab chuckled. “Think of the stars, Nathan. Can you count them? No. Yet He knows each by name. Think of the sands by the sea—can you number them? Yet He holds them in His hand. His greatness is beyond our understanding, yet He reveals Himself to those who seek Him.”
Nathan nodded slowly, his young mind turning over the wonder of it.
Eliab continued writing, his voice soft but fervent. **”One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”** He looked at his son. “That is why I teach you these things, Nathan. So that you may know the Lord and tell your children of His wonders.”
As the day wore on, Eliab took Nathan through the streets of Jerusalem. They passed the marketplace, where merchants called out their wares, and the poor stretched out their hands for alms. Eliab paused beside a blind beggar named Josiah, who sat near the city gate.
“Peace to you, brother,” Eliab said, placing a coin in the man’s hand.
Josiah’s face brightened. “Ah, Eliab! I know your voice. Tell me, what news of the Lord’s goodness today?”
Eliab knelt beside him. **”The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”**
Josiah clasped his hands together. “Even to a blind old man, He is kind. Every morning, the baker’s son brings me bread, though I have nothing to give in return. Surely, the Lord provides.”
Nathan listened, his heart stirred. “Father, does God really care for *everyone*?”
Eliab placed a hand on his shoulder. **”The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.”** He pointed to the hills beyond the city. “The lions roar for their prey, yet God feeds them. The ravens cry, yet He fills their nests. How much more will He care for those who fear Him?”
As evening fell, Eliab and Nathan returned home. The sky blazed with hues of crimson and gold, a tapestry woven by the hand of the Almighty. Eliab unrolled the parchment once more and added the final lines: **”The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”**
Nathan, now curled beside him, yawned. “Father, will God always hear us when we pray?”
Eliab kissed his forehead. **”The Lord preserves all who love Him, my son. And one day, all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.”**
As the stars emerged like countless witnesses in the heavens, Eliab lifted his voice in quiet praise, joining the eternal chorus of those who had gone before and those yet to come—declaring the glory of the Lord, whose kingdom is everlasting, and whose dominion endures through all generations.
For the Lord is faithful, and His promises are sure. **Let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever. Amen.**
