“Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32, BSB).

These words, spoken by the disciples on the Emmaus road, capture the essence of a heart ignited by the presence and truth of God. Whether encountered in the quiet familiarity of daily Scripture or through distant echoes of centuries past, the greatness of our God demands a response. It is not a truth to be observed passively but one that compels the soul to speak and proclaim.

The psalmist declares, “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3, BSB). From the abundance of His glory flows a wellspring of joy that cannot be contained. Just as a tree planted by streams of water grows firm and unyielding (Psalm 1:3), so does the believer who roots their life in the truth of God’s Word. The knowledge of His might and mercy creates a sturdy foundation, and from that foundation, life and testimony flow.

Consider the mighty works of God. From the heavens declaring His glory (Psalm 19:1) to the intimate act of redemption in Christ, all creation points to His enthronement from of old. This is the God who “forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man” (Amos 4:13, BSB). He is both near and transcendent, a King who stoops to lift His people and yet reigns in unapproachable light.

This is why tongues cannot stay silent. Those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) are compelled to declare it. The truth of God, once captured by the heart and embraced, moves outward to touch the lives of others. The light that blazes within must find expression, and it does so in worship, in testimony, and in the daily proclamation of His goodness.

Seen or unseen,

familiar or distant

by centuries or miles—

does not their heart blaze

as a flame!

From abundance to flow

how cannot tongues go

Word captured,

embraced

that men know—

how great our God is 

enthroned from of old

to show

that a tree

by the stream

firm does grow.

 -Janae May

Let us, then, be as trees planted by streams, firmly rooted in His Word and flourishing in the overflow of His Spirit. May our lives reflect the unshakable truth of His greatness, and may our words—whether spoken across the miles or penned for generations to come—declare with boldness that our God reigns. For He is worthy, and His glory is eternal.

Inspired by Janae May