Good morning, beloved,
As I sit here, at the start of a new week, coffee in hand, quiet, waiting, hopeful, I know that my hope cannot be built on anything but Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I cannot trust anything to be stable except for the One whose Name is Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20 ·You are like a building that was built […having been built] on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone [cornerstone; or capstone; Is. 28:16; 1 Cor. 3:11] in that building,). We lift up our eyes, we know that this week commemorates the Solid Rock’s defeat of our enemy, from there is our help (Psalm 121).
For timeline purposes, we know that Jesus entered the temple on Palm Sunday midst the prayers, praises of the people. They yell, “Hosanna!” And my brain begins to wonder, I know you’ve sung songs, I’ve sung songs that contain the word, Hosanna. Do we know?
9 The people were walking ahead of Jesus and behind him, shouting,
“·Praise God! [L Hosanna! C A Hebrew word originally used in praying for help, but by this time a joyful shout of praise to God.]
·God bless [Blessed is] the One who comes in the name of the Lord [Ps. 118:26]!
10 ·God bless [Blessed is] the coming kingdom of our father David!
·Praise to God in heaven [L Hosanna in the highest]!” Mark 11 EXB
Look with me at Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
in the Hebrew, means “save, we pray.” The word seems to have become an utterance of praise rather than of prayer, though originally, probably, a cry for help. The people’s cry at the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mat 21:9, 15; Mar 11:9, 10; Jhn 12:13) was taken from Ps. 118, which was recited at the Feast of Tabernacles (see FEAST) in the great Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118) in responses with the priest, accompanied by the waving of palm and willow branches. “The last day of the feast” was called “the great Hosanna;” the boughs also were called “hosannas.”
A cry for help! A cry for a Savior! We pray. They prayed. They turned the word into an utterance of praise. We have as well.
We have Hillsong’s worship song (seems a wee bit redundant to type song again):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGJdTpMUcU
Paul Balouche’s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZoDH2H1Ls
Kirk Franklin’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhx8FHYBs7k
King David’s:
Psalm 118. (grin)
5 I was in ·trouble [distress], so I ·called [prayed] to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and set me ·free [L in a broad place].
6 I will not ·be afraid [fear], because the Lord is with me [Rom. 8:31].
·People can’t do anything [L What can people do…?] to me [Heb. 13:6].
7 The Lord is with me to help me,
so I will ·see my enemies defeated [L look on my enemy; C in triumph].
8 It is better to ·trust [find refuge in] the Lord
than to ·trust [have confidence in] people.
9 It is better to ·trust [find refuge in] the Lord
than to ·trust [have confidence in] princes.
So, today, the thought that echoes through my mind, as I face today, what do I hold to from this knowledge, this worship, this wisdom?
I am so thankful to have the Word that gives us a picture of our triumphant King. He walked towards His death. He knew what was coming and He walked through the throngs of people anyway.
Now, me? I don’t know what is coming EXCEPT for one thing. I know I am headed for eternal victory. I know each step I take brings me closer to my heavenly home. I am grateful.
Another reminder for me, this week isn’t about me. This is not the time to spend focusing on me, me, me. Instead this is the time to focus on Him, on our Chief Cornerstone. Anytime my brain floats to my rights, my dreams, my plans, I’ve moved off Him and onto me. Let’s keep our eyes, today, on the author and finisher of our faith.
2 Let us ·look only to [keep our eyes on] Jesus, the ·One who began[Pioneer/Founder of; or Leader/Prince of] our faith and who ·makes it perfect [completes it]. He ·suffered death on [L endured] the cross, ·accepting the shame as if it were nothing[L disregarding/despising the shame] because of the joy that ·God put before [lay ahead for] him. And now he is sitting at the right ·side [L hand] of God’s throne [1:3; 13; Ps. 110:1]. 3 Think about Jesus, who endured such ·hostility [opposition] from sinful people, so that you will not ·get tired [grow weary; get discouraged] and ·stop trying [give up]. Hebrews 12 EXB
Let’s think upon Jesus today.
236. Thankful for a day to turn the music loud and sing Hosanna!
237. Thankful for a chance to be still.
239. Thankful for my boy reading over my shoulder.
Pray on. Pray on.
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Thank you Jesus!