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

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

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 boy raised from the dead [1] 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.

[1] Luke 7:12-15.

Today's Prayer

O holy God, give me the eyes of faith 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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Luke 7:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"[After Jesus had raised the son of the widow from Nain: Those in the crowd who saw this] were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared..."
Help is Here
Illustration of Luke 7:16
Inspirational illustration of Luke 7:16 -- They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."
Touchable Grace
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus is God made touchable! Phil Ware introduces his trip to Comunidad de Los Niños Sagrada Familia in Lima, Peru, and the children that Jesus wants touched with his grace.
Grace for the Opposites
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King of Glory, Whatever your situation in life is or may have been, I want you to know that when you hurt, I care! You see, I don't..."
See All 5 Related Resources about Luke 7:16-17

Illustration

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

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 26, 2023

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Depending on God'
"Dear Precious Child of the Father, My people have had to face hostile trials for their faith all throughout history. I'm not talking about the..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Galatians 5:14
"The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.""
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Spirit of Truth' (Jn. 14:16-18)
"[Jesus said,] "I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Sticking to the Formula' (Acts 16:13)
"[After arriving in Philippi several days before,] on the Sabbath we [Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke] went a little way outside the city to a..."

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!