Lenten Reader | Day 34

April 9th, 2022

Glory in the Highest

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

- Luke 19:37-40

As I read this passage of Scripture, I began to think about my trip to Israel during the celebration of “The Feast of Tabernacles” almost 25 years ago. What an incredible miracle and opportunity it was to visit the Holy Land and to walk where Jesus did.

When our group began our adventure, there was an excitement that filled us as we prepared to participate in a parade knowing the route could be the very road that Jesus walked many years ago. The joy and excitement of the celebration did continue into the next day as we joined others in the city to participate in a “Praise Walk” through the streets to a beautiful park in the valley. As we stood along the hillside watching the dancers waving flags and banners and listening to them sing praises, our attention was drawn to the sky above where a cloud shaped remarkably like a dove appeared to be descending upon us. How wonderful is our God!!

These beautiful memories brought to mind the following scriptures from the book of Psalms:

Psalm 22:3 – But thou art Holy, thou that inhabitest the Praise of Israel.
Psalm 147:11 – God delights in us because we Praise Him; we are doing what we should be doing – genuinely giving Him Glory!!!

Now just close your eyes and imagine: the road lined with the disciples singing praises to our God and king. Worshipping Him in spirit and in truth and bringing glory and honor to Him.

When we sing praise to God, we are glorifying His holy name, and the Spirit of God dwells in us, drawing us closer to Him. So when the trials of this life leave us worn out and weary, just begin to sing praise joyfully and in loud voices as the disciples did when thinking about the miracles they had witnessed.

- Laurie Woods

Prayer
Father, as I begin this week of Easter, help me to remember all of the miracles you have done in my life. I will not be quiet in singing praises to you name.