Psalm 29:1-4 - Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The majestic, glorious voice thundered at creation, as the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. The voice of the Lord called out, "Let there be light" and light appeared in the darkness (Genesis 1:3b). The Lord's voice thundered at Sinai as He came down to the mountain to give His Law to the people of Israel. The voice was so terrifying that the people begged Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die" (Exodus 20:19).

In Bethlehem, the mighty voice of God was again heard on earth, but it was not terrifying. It was the voice of a newborn infant in a manger. God Himself was born among us to be our Savior. As the hour of His death drew near, Jesus prayed that His Father's Name would be glorified. In response, the Father's voice thundered from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again" (John 12:28b). The Father was glorified in the obedient death of His Son, who laid down His life as the sacrifice for our sins. The voice of the Lord, once heard at creation, was heard from the cross as Jesus "cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit" (Matthew 27:50).

Now we have heard the sweet and thundering proclamation, "Christ is risen!" The voice that separated the light from the darkness at creation has now, in Christ, called us "out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9b). The Spirit of God that hovered over the waters of creation now works through the water and Word of Baptism as God claims us as His own. The glorious voice of the Lord calls to us with a Father's gentle love, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine" (Isaiah 43:1b).

As children of the light, our voices respond in gentle, respectful words of witness. As we proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' Name, the Spirit of God calls people out of the darkness of sin into the light of Christ. Our voices also ring out in thunderous praise as we ascribe, that is, as we give or attribute, to the Lord the glory that is His alone. We give to God the glory due Him, for creation, for our salvation, for our lives as His new creation: "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!" (Psalm 115:1)

THE PRAYER: Almighty God and Creator, guide me by the mighty, glorious voice of Your Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. Other than the instances mentioned above, can you think of other times God spoke in the Bible?

2. How does God call us to be His own through Baptism?

3. How can we be mindful of our words when we share Jesus with others?

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 12-14    John 8:28-59

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