Responding To God - 4 Lessons From Palm SundayНамуна

Make it a Season of Extravagant Praise

 In the Gospels, Palm Sunday is shown as a day of much celebration and joy. As Jesus rode in, a very large crowd had gathered (Matthew 21:8) to give Him a rousing welcome. They were praising Him by shouting ‘Hosanna’. Matthew 21:10 adds, “The whole city was stirred!” We see praise arising to the Lord as follows;

· The people joyfully praised God in loud voices for the miracles they had seen. (Luke 19:37) 

· The children praised Him in the temple shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15-16)

· Even the stones were waiting to praise Him (Luke 19:40)

Therefore, let’s make Palm Sunday a day of extravagant praise. 

Sadly, in the midst of all this praise, it is sad to note that the Religious leaders were callously unwilling to praise the Lord (Luke 19:39, Matthew 21:15). Not only were they unwilling to praise Jesus, they even tried to stop the children from doing so (Matthew 21:15). 

Right now, maybe because of a challenge or struggle you are going through at present, you are unable or unwilling to praise the Lord. Well, I would like to encourage you to open your heart in praise to the Lord, because Palm Sunday is a day of praise! It is the day of the Messiah! The Bible encourages us to put on “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). So, why don't you raise your voice and sing “Hosanna” right now. 

Illustration :

There is a story about a Pastor who was so discouraged in his ministry that he had decided to quit. However, he felt that it was only right that he go into the church where he had ministered for years, one last time, to give thanks to God. As he knelt down and gave thanks to God, he began to count his blessings over the years. Soon, his heart and voice was rising up in thanks and praise to God so much that he began to wonder why he had ever thought of quitting. He didn't quit!

That's the power of praise! 

Next Step : 

Whatever your circumstances, would you right now allow praise to rise up in your heart to the Lord.