Daily Devotions
“Now all the vault of heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds: ‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here: ‘Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!’ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “O fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things […]
“Now all the vault of heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds: ‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here: ‘Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!’ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
“O fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things above That we conquer through Your triumph; grant grace sufficient for life’s day That by our lives we truly say: ‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
As we read through Scripture, it is easy to see that the angels are always very busy, doing the will of God in heaven and on earth. The angels offer unceasing praise, carry out acts of divine judgment, and provide strength and protection to the people of God. In the history of salvation and especially in the life of our Lord, angels had a lot of work to do. When God’s promise to send the Messiah would soon be fulfilled, angels brought the good news to the people so familiar to us from the Christmas story: Zechariah (and Elizabeth!), Mary and Joseph. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel announced His birth to shepherds and a multitude of the heavenly host glorified God.
Angels were active in Jesus’ life and work, ministering to Him after He was tempted by the devil. An angel came to strengthen Him in Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal, but the holy legions were not allowed to interfere when the Lord was arrested, tried, and crucified. Then, on the first Easter morning, the astonished and frightened women first heard the glad news from angels: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” (Luke 24:5b-6a). As the good news began to spread across the earth, the angels in heaven offered their unceasing praise to the crucified and risen Savior: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12b).
Angels are busy, but like them, we also have much work ahead of us as we seek to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. With heart and will set on things above, we pray that the Lord will fill us with “dauntless love,” love that cannot be shaken by the disregard and hatred of the unbelieving world. By our words and by our lives we proclaim the Gospel of salvation, the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus, good news so astonishing that even the angels long to investigate the promise (see 1 Peter 1:12). When we gather to worship, we join the angels to sing praise to our risen Savior. Heaven resounds in praise of God’s love, and we send the glad sound echoing back: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
WE PRAY: Lord, grant to me grace sufficient for this day, so that I might serve You as the angels do. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds,” which is number 465 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Angels are known for the praise they offer God. What other things do they do?
2. What did an angel do at the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning?
3. How do you like to sing praises to God—in church, in a choir, in a band, in your car?