What Jesus Did! 'Fear and Praise' — Luke 7:16-17

Friday, April 26, 2019

Great fear swept the crowd [when Jesus raised the widow's son], and they praised God, saying, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and "God has visited his people today." And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.
— Luke 7:16-17 NLT

Key Thought

Talk about a mind-blowing experience: Seeing this dead boy raised from the dead was unbelievable. Naturally, there was a holy fear of Jesus and his power by those who witnessed this event. They recognized that raising this boy was not a trick, but the power and presence of God himself on display. Praise and confession of God's greatness were the proper responses to such an event. The people realized they had seen the work and care of God. They also felt it was important to share this news with others. Holy fear, praise, recognition of God's greatness, and evangelism are the proper responses the people bring. These must also be our responses to the mighty work of God in our times.

Today's Prayer

Give me the eyes of faith, O holy God, to see and the spiritual discernment to know how best to honor and praise you for your great acts of blessing, mercy, and grace. You are holy God, so teach me reverence. You are concerned and involved with my daily wounds and struggles, so teach me discernment so that I can better see your hand at work. As you show your presence in my life, use me to help spread the story of your grace and deliverance to others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:14-18
  • 1 John 1:1-4
  • Luke 24:47-48

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 26, 2019

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 10:14
"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Something Good & Beautiful'
"Dear Beloved, My resurrection from the dead changed everything! As awful as My crucifixion was for the Father and Me, the cost of that suffering..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Verification by the Spirit' (Acts 8:14-17)
"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived,...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Delight of the Father's Life' (Mt. 3:16-17)
"The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit — it looked like a dove — descending and landing....."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 7:16-17 NLT — "A mighty prophet has risen among us," —— "God has visited his people today."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!