Lutheran Devotional 15th June 2025, Sunday Message
TOPIC: We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God
“The band of apostles in glory sing Your praise; The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise. The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng, Sing with the holy Church throughout all the world this song: ‘O all-majestic Father, Your true and only Son, And Holy Spirit, Comforter—forever Three in One!’”
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Many believers have tried to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity, seeking ways to simplify the teaching for the sake of children or unbelievers. One lesson about the mystery uses an apple with its three parts, the skin, flesh, and seeds. Another explanation is St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock, a single stem with three leaves. These examples may appeal to our human reason, yet all fall short of divine truth. Early Christian theologians chose a word translated as “person” as they sought to explain the mystery. We believe in one God in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is the truth revealed in Holy Scripture and confessed in the creeds of the church. We cannot understand this mystery, but we acknowledge it by faith and worship the Triune God.
In the title and first line of this hymn we simply confess our faith and express our adoration: “We praise You and acknowledge You, O God, to be the Lord.” This praise in heaven and on earth never ends. In heaven the angels ceaselessly cry out in words once heard by the prophet Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3b). According to our hymn, the angels are not alone in offering praise. The apostles in glory, the prophets with their “deathless voices,” and the martyrs join in the praise of God. These saints served the Lord throughout their lives and many died for their faith in Jesus. Now in heaven they sing the praise of the Savior who gave His life for them and for us all.
Today, as we praise the Holy Trinity, we are in good company and even on earth the praise never ends. As our daily worship falls silent for the night, Christians in other parts of the world rise from sleep to take up the song. Our praise ascends to the throne of God to join with the unceasing praise of the saints and angels. This praise makes no attempt to explain the Holy Trinity, but acknowledges the mystery. The Athanasian Creed, in its detailed confession of the Triune God, says this: “The Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is to be worshiped.” That is what we do. We worship! In our hymn, offered up in concert with the saints and angels who rejoice eternally in the presence of God, we confess the mystery of the Trinity: “O all-majestic Father, Your true and only Son, and Holy Spirit, Comforter—forever Three in One!”
WE PRAY: Triune God, accept the grateful praise I offer until I rejoice forever in Your presence. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God,” which is number 941 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
- What is it about the Trinity that intrigues you most? Can you give an example that helps explain it?
- While God is mysterious in many ways, how has He shown us His practical, down-to-earth side?
- What comfort do you take in the three Persons of the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Today’s Readings:
