Sunday, April 10, 2016

Devotion

The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad,
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from sin's dominion free,
our Christ has brought us over
with hymns of victory.

Let hearts be purged of evil
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light,
and list'ning to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and hearing,
may raise the glad refrain.

Now let the heav'ns be joyful,
let earth its song begin,
the round world keep high triumph
and all that is therein.
Let all things, seen and unseen,
their notes of gladness blend;
for Christ the Lord has risen,
our joy that has no end!

All praise to God the Father,
all praise to Christ the Son,
all praise to God the Spirit,
eternal Three in One!
Let all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
and honor, pow'r, and glory
ascribe to God alone!

Once again, John of Damascus gives us a hymn of many images, all dedicated to unrestrained praise of God. He calls heaven and earth, all things seen and unseen, to "tell it out abroad, the passover of gladness, the passover of God." Christ's resurrection has freed us from the binding consequences of sin, moving us "from death to life eternal."

God is the creator of the universe and everything that's in it. It's almost too vast a concept for us to truly understand. But we get a glimpse of what that means for us in Jesus, the "Word made flesh" who continues to dwell among us as risen Lord. It's about relationship; God wants that relationship with us, and so God gives it to us as a gift and promises that it will last forever. We can rely on that promise. It is a promise from God. Go with God on this Lord's Day. You have God's promise: God goes with you.