Ezra 3:11 – and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to God.
RESPONSIVELY means to be QUICK TO RESPOND. As I was studying this word, I read that the least responsive people in the world are people in deep comas! WOW, this speaks volumes!
Each of us responds differently with gratitude towards God (some lift their hands in adoration, some shout with excitement, others celebrate God’s goodness with dancing, while others bow quietly before the Lord in worship.) Whatever our reaction is, it is biblical to respond to the Lord!
One of my favorite passages is found in Luke 17. It’s the story about the ten lepers, and it exemplifies extravagantly that gratitude moves the heart of Jesus! All ten lepers asked the Lord to have mercy on them, and all ten were healed. But only ONE responded to the Lord with thanksgiving!
Luke 17:15-18 “And one of them, when he saw he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down at His feet, giving Him thanks.” And Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
We’ve been cleansed with Christ’s blood! May WE NOT hold back our lavish response for His goodness and mercy in our lives!
We want to be ones who celebrate the Lord!
A walk through the Bible in 2024,
Heart of Nations House of Prayer,
-Mandy Reiszner