Blessed is the King

Right now it is difficult for some of us to praise God. We look around at the turmoil in the world, and we don't understand how a loving God could let something so tragic happen all around us. Some of us are grieving all of the things we wish we were doing, some of us are homebodies anyway, so staying home is no big deal, and some of us are just about to go crazy because we need to be around people and stay busy with activities.

In spite of the difficulties around us and the inconveniences, we remember clearly that the whole point of all of the sacrifices is human life. We want to protect each other from this illness - this pandemic. We, of course, do not want to be sick ourselves, but I believe that many of us are motivated by a desire not to make others ill. So, in that regard, we have a lot to praise God for. Humanity has not lost the ability to care for one another. We are seeing Jesus in our neighbors' actions. We are truly asking how people are when we speak with them. There are people who are convicted by all that is going on in the world, and they are deciding to follow Jesus. Some of us have time to think for once in a long while, and we are able to re-connect to the loving Father and His son through prayer time and Bible study.

I'm reflecting again today on the last week Jesus had in His earthly body on this earth. I'm a little out of order on the holy week days, but please bear with me.

Today I am thinking about Jesus' entry to Jerusalem. Scripture was fulfilled by His actions. Zechariah 9 foretells the future entry of our King on a colt into Jerusalem. Luke 19:29-48 gives us the details for Jesus' triumphal entry as it is called. The people were shouting. Not just saying the words, they were SHOUTING! "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38 NASB) Are we shouting His praise right now in the midst of our grief and loneliness? My favorite verse in this group of versus is 40 "But Jesus answered, 'I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out'" I don't know about you, but I do not want to leave the job up to the stones. I want to praise Jesus where I am and in the circumstance I am in.

We have so much for which to be grateful. I know things are tough right now. I realize they are less than ideal. Our family has endured the disappointment of cancelled trips, not getting to spend time with the ones we love, concern over loved ones on the front lines as first responders and medical professionals. However, there is a plan and a purpose. In this Easter season we don't really know what is coming. Unlike Jesus knowing the plan for His week, we are in the dark as to what the full plan is. Let's praise the Lord anyway. Let's give the stones some competition!

I hope you will join me in a focused time of prayer using the below prompts from Fulfilled: A Study of Jesus

Focus on anything in your life that is causing turmoil for you. Ask the Lord of peace to extract that from your life and bring you peace.

What is causing a barrier to your worship? Ask the Lord to remove that as well. It would be a shame for the rocks to cry out instead of your life being lived in worship to God.