Author: evangelist_breland

Luke 24:18-24 NKJV

After Jesus appeared to two of His disciples who were sad and confused because of the recent events in Jerusalem, He Joined them on their trip to Emmaus. They did not recognize Him, and He questioned them about the kind of conversation they were having. One of them named Cleopas responded by asking if He was a stranger in Jerusalem and didn’t know about the events that had happened there in these days (v.18). He wanted to know what things they were talking about. They told Him the story of the events concerning Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. They also told of their hope that He would be the one to redeem Israel, noting that this day is day three of these events.

The disciples related details about certain women of their company who went early to His tomb, returning with a testimony that astonished them (v.22). They brought good news; they did not find His body, and that they saw a vision of angels who said He was alive. (v.23). Yet, because of the culture of the time, the apostles with whom the women shared their testimony about His resurrection, thought “their words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them” (v.11).

The disciples continued telling the story of the events in verse 24, saying that certain of those who were with them went to the tomb and found it empty just as the women had said. Even though the disciples walked with Him, they struggled to accept His resurrection. Today if you believe in the Lord Jesus, you will live even though you die.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Luke 24:13-17 NKJV

Here in this post-resurrection scene two of Jesus’ disciples were travelling back home to the village of Emmaus, which was about 8 miles from Jerusalem. They talked together about all the events which had happened in the last few days – Jesus’ crucifixion and reports that He was risen. This is day three since these events happened. The disciples were feeling hopeless and sad about the death of Jesus Christ, who they trusted would have redeemed Israel. 

While they communed together and reasoned and pondered the events, Jesus appeared and joined them on their trip. Unable to identify Him He saw their sadness and questioned them about the kind of conversation they were having. Scripture says that their eyes were restrained so that they should not know Him. We may not understand their blindness, but we should believe that God controlled their eyes, causing them to not be able to see who Jesus was. He has the power to intervene in any event and do just what He said He’ll do in His time for His purpose. 

The disciples’ blindness was both physical and spiritual. They were confused and hurt due to the events that had happened in Jerusalem in the last few days. Using this event God allowed them to be physically blind in order to reveal their spiritual blindness. They had forgotten the truths Jesus prophesied to them while He was still in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day” (v.7).  

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”

Psalm 145:10-13 NIV

We can never give the Lord too much praise for great is the Lord, and He is most worthy of praise. After praising God for His enduring character (vv.8-9), the psalmist prophesied that everything the Lord created will praise Him, and His faithful followers will joyfully sing praise and celebrate Him (v.10). Ps.150:6 NLT says: “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Giving the Lord praise for His abundant greatness and acts of mercy is not just a passing afterthought. It is the responsibility of every living thing to honor their creator.  

The psalmist addressed the Lord: “They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might (v.11) so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom” (v.12). As the crown jewel of creation, His faithful followers have the duty of witnessing to others, telling them all about the goodness of the Lord – His power, love, mercy, righteousness, salvation, and more. 

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does” (v.13). The psalmist said that there was no end to God’s kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation. How blessed believers are to know the Lord! They can trust that whatever He says, He will fulfill it for He is a promise keeper. Also, there is no need to doubt Him; they have the assurance that He is faithful in all he does. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Psalm 145:5-9 NIV

Praising the Lord for His abundant greatness should always be a focus of children of God for He is worthy to be celebrated. Just as God chose Israel and blessed them to be in a relationship with Him, so today are Christians. As His chosen, we have the responsibility of telling the next generation the story of Jesus and His love. In verse 4 the psalmist prophesied of generational praise of God’s work and witnessing of His mighty acts. 

David continued his praise of God in verse 5. He stated that those who passed down testimonies of God’s greatness will speak of the glorious splendor of His majesty, and he will meditate on God’s wonderful works in creation, providence, and redemption. He declared that generations of believers will tell of the power of God’s awesome works, and he will proclaim God’s great deeds (v.6). “They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness” (v.7). Give praise always to God for His abundant and limitless goodness of love, provision, and protection of His creation.  When believers lift their voices, giving praise to God, it is as a choir celebrating harmoniously and joyfully singing of His righteousness. 

Then in verses 8-9 the psalmist centered his praise on God’s enduring character. They describe how we are to reflect God’s image. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (v.8) “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (v.9). As a believer, does your living give praise to God by reflecting these traits in response to your fellow man?  

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Psalm 145:1-4 NIV

We, the created, ought to give praise to our Creator for He is worthy. Here, David declared: “I will exalt You,” and he addressed the Father, recognizing His superiority and His royal status, saying, “my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever” (v.1). Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever” (v.2). Yes, he declared that he was   committed to always lift up the Lord!  

In verse 3 He continued to declare that the Lord is great, that is, mighty, and is worthy above all other to be praised; “his greatness no one can fathom.” In other words, no one can ever know the vast nature of God, yet because we are in a relationship with Him, we are called to be more like Him. Isaiah 55 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (55:8). “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (55:9). 

The psalmist continued giving praise to the Lord for His abundant greatness. He prophesiedthat one generation will be a witness of the mighty acts of God to another (v.4). In everyday life we all eagerly share good news about someone special to us with other family, friends, and acquaintances on face book, Instagram, and other forms of communication. Therefore, we should take greater delight in sharing with others the good news of God’s mighty acts and all He has done for us. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”