Lift Your Voice
Daily Rays of Hope #169
Scripture for Today
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” - Luke 19:38 NIV
As Jesus began to walk out prophecy in Luke 19:38, the Pharisees around who heard the disciples crying out these words quickly admonished Jesus to “... rebuke his disciples”. Jesus’ immediate response is that if they didn't bless Him, the rocks would cry out. In the case that they were silent, the rocks would start worshiping the Lord.
The key issue that the Pharisees had with the worship is that Jesus, this man claiming to be the Messiah, was you serving their Authority. He was causing people to doubt the Pharisees by showing people the true heart that they lacked for the word of the Lord. Where they said they loved the word, they were willing throughout history to slaughter prophets who threatened their authority by sharing the word.
This proved that they didn't love the Word. They loved the power of being the only sources of the word. So this event in Luke 19:38-40 is essentially a pattern. Rebuke anyone who dares to worship the Messiah. Rebuke anyone who dares to threaten their authority. Rebuke anyone who's worshiping a man, as they see him, instead of worshiping the Pharisees, which were they were accustomed to.
Where Jesus was followed by miracles, signs, and wonders, the Pharisees lacked the power to deliver people from demons. The Pharisees lacked the power in their heart to bring healing to people. They did not bring sight to the blind, legs to the disabled, hearing to the deaf, and the unfiltered word through their very life. They were not a demonstration of the power of God. Jesus was.
So Jesus responds to them and their attempt to control the worship of others by saying to them that even if his disciples did not worship, it wouldn’t matter. Creation would worship him. Creation would cry out.
Remember today to lift up your voice and bless the Lord. Remember that your worship is essential and undermines every plan of the enemy. Remember to bless the name of the Lord and lift up Jesus. Your praise is a weapon and will bring joy to your day and others if you use it, pursue Him, and seek to be in his presence.
Three Practical Ways To Walk Out This Word Daily
1. Boldly Acknowledge Jesus Publicly
Do not shy away from speaking about your faith in everyday conversations. Matthew 10:32 says that whoever acknowledges Jesus before others, He will acknowledge before the Father. Let your words and actions clearly identify you as His follower.
2. Praise God in All Circumstances
Make intentional space each day to worship, whether in song, prayer, or thanksgiving. Psalm 34:1 reminds us to bless the Lord at all times. Your praise should not depend on your situation but on who He is.
3. Refuse to Be Silenced by Opposition
When you encounter resistance or criticism for your faith, stand firm. Acts 4:20 shows the apostles declaring they could not help speaking about what they had seen and heard. Let your testimony speak even louder when challenged.
Closing Encouragement
Your praise has power, and your voice matters to the Kingdom. If you remain faithful to declare the greatness of Jesus, you join creation itself in proclaiming His glory. Let no obstacle quiet your worship.