“Now all the vault of heav’n resounds
“Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds,” which is number 465 in the Lutheran Service Book.
In praise of love that still abounds:
‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear!
Repeat their song of glory here:
‘Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!’
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
“O fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;
Set heart and will on things above
That we conquer through Your triumph;
Grant grace sufficient for life’s day
That by our lives we truly say:
‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
“All the vault of heav’n resounds!” How is Jesus’ resurrection celebrated in the courts of heaven? A glimpse through heaven’s open door shows us the eternal acclaim. Before the throne of God stands a Lamb that had been slain, but now lives. Saints and angels shout their praise: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12 ESV). The Lamb, our crucified Savior, has risen from the dead. “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
What about the weeks after Easter? How do we keep the joy going? Every Sunday is another Easter, a reminder that on a Sunday, “the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1b ESV), Jesus rose from the dead. In our hymn, we pray to be filled with “dauntless love,” so that our Savior’s “love that still abounds”-love that cannot be overcome, love that does not give up—would flow through our lives to others. With heart and will set “on things above,” earthly trials, grief, fear, or weariness cannot overcome us. In Baptism we died with Christ. We were buried with Him and raised to new life. As the apostle Paul explains, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3 ESV).
God grants to us “grace sufficient for life’s day” so that in our daily lives we will show that Christ has triumphed. We forgive as we have been forgiven. We offer comfort and hope to the grieving, the hope of life and resurrection through faith in Jesus, the Lamb who was slain and raised. On Easter morning and each and every day after, in our thoughts, words, and actions, the celebration continues: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
We Pray: Lord Jesus, I pray that by my life I will show that You are living. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds,” which is number 465 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on May 15, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. How do our lives bear witness to the salvation we have in Jesus?
2. Do you write poetry? Can you write a poem about Christ’s triumph over sin?
3. What types of habits or routines do you practice to keep your mind set on the things above?