Hosanna in the Highest (even when I am at my lowest)

Today we are in the next to the last chapter in our study of the book of Matthew.  We are reading from Matthew 27:1–26.  As you read the first part of the chapter I want you to keep in mind that it was only a few days before and the crowds were adoring Jesus.  They were crying out Hosanna in the Highest and laying their coats and palm branches before Him as He rode humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Now bloodied, beaten, dirty, spat upon, weary and mocked the crowds were turning against Him.  Instead of Hosanna in the Highest they now shouted “Crucify him!”  Are we ever guilty of being so fickled in our actions?  We may not cry out “crucify him”, but are we worshipping one day (or even one minute) and a circumstance or some news comes that causes us to start worrying or that changes our whole demeanor? 

What I learn from reading this passage is that if I am not careful I can turn from being full faith and worship and ready to serve Him to being full of worry or showing a lack of trust if I am not careful and intentional by taking every thought captive to Christ.  We women are often times driven by our "feelings and emotions".  I think the same thing was happening here in the crowds during that week.  It was Passover week.  People's emotions were at a high.  They were "on the mountaintop" spiritually speaking and people were swarming in from lots of places to be in Jerusalem on that High Holy Day.  It was one of the pilgrimage feasts where the people were required to go back to Jerusalem.

The problem is that the people in this angry scene lost sight of God’s overarching plan.  They thought Jesus should save them from the Romans and when He didn’t come through the way they thought He should, and they changed their worshipful tune.  Instead of welcoming Him into their lives and worshipping Him, they just wanted to be rid of Him.  They went from worshipping Him to being at war against Him. 

As believers we think we would never do that, right?  But when the challenging times come and He’s not “acting” the way we think He would or should, don’t we too get doubts?  We may not cry out for Him to be gone, but we can be quick to lose our peace or our compassion toward others?  Do we begin to fret over the news we have just received?  Let’s not judge them, but let us be careful to take measures to be of sound mind and to trust Him even when we can’t see His plan.  Stay in faith friends and keep your worship on!

I can worship Yeshua even when I am at my lowest!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Forgive me Lord for those times when I have fallen short in this area; for times I lose peace and trust when things do not go as I expect them to.  Father, I pray I would love You and praise You no matter what the circumstances.  Hosanna in the Highest.  Amen & Amen.

Whatever your circumstances today can you worship with me today?re there any prayer requests today? We all struggle with things from time to time. Let's lift each other up in prayer so that we can stay focused on Christ and what He has called each one of us to do.

I am praying this verse for myself and for each of you today. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

               

Are there any prayer requests today? We all struggle with things from time to time. Let's lift each other up in prayer so that we can stay focused on Christ and what He has called each one of us to do.

I am praying this verse for myself and for each of you today.

"You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you."

Isaiah 26:3

Never forget

"Never forget" is a theme we heard a lot after the Trade Centers were attacked on September 11, 2001.  What I didn't know however was the story of the cross found at the Trade Centers.

 

This set of beams is so named because it resembles the proportions of a Christian cross.  Following the terrorist attacks, a massive operation was launched to clear the site and attempt to find any survivors amongst the rubble. On September 13, 2001, a worker at the site named Frank Silecchia discovered a 20-foot (6.1 m) cross of two steel beams amongst the debris of 6 World Trade Center.  Many saw the crossed metal as a Christian cross and felt its survival was symbolic. Fr. Jordan spoke over it and declared it to be a "symbol of hope... [a] symbol of faith... [a] symbol of healing".  In 2013, "U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts concluded...that the 17-foot-high cross, which became a spiritual symbol for workers at ground zero.  This cross also became highly controversial among many different religious and non-religious supporters.  (From Wikipedia)

 

 

 

It is good to remember all the ways, both of God's providence and grace, by which he has led us through this wilderness, that we may cheerfully serve him and trust in him.- Matthew Henry

 

Whatever the ways that remind us, be it a cross at Ground Zero or a sunrise or a sunset, we must never forget and always remember what He has done for us!

 

 

 

Scripture:  ² Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  ⁸ a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; ⁹ a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing … ¹⁷ You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” ¹⁸ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability … Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

 

Today’s reading came from Deuteronomy 8 and Mark 15:16-41

 

Observation:  It is good to remember … When I read those words and the scripture passages today we remember several things.  In the New Testament passage we remember the crucifixion and the brutal ways Jesus was tortured and beaten and ridiculed so that we might be given salvation.  They are not easy words to read.  But we must remember.  Why?  We read in Deuteronomy that God provided everything they needed in the wilderness and some of what they experienced caused them to be humbled.  In like manner God provided for everything we need for life and godliness through Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach.

 

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  II Peter 1:3

 

Application:  I want to remember!  I want to remember how He has led me in the past and where He is taking me in the future.  I want to remember to stay humble and to not rely on my own works or strength.  Do I need to “do the work” He gives me to do?  Did the children of Israel have to walk into the Promised Land or did He pick them up and carry them?  No they walked, they had to participate in the work.  So while I may work and even work hard, I have to remember to give honor and glory to the One Who gives me breathe and ability.  Lastly I want to remember who gives me good things – whether it is good things to eat or wealth or power – it all comes from the Father of Lights!

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

 

Prayer:  Abba, Father, Thank You for every good and perfect gift!  Thank You for leading me in every way.  Thank You for being with me each day.  Thank You most of all for Your Son, Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, who willingly laid down His life in my place and who humbled Himself to the cruelty of others for me, a sinner.  How often my pride and rebellion must have felt and looked like I was spitting in His face, trampling on the beautiful gift of salvation.  While salvation is beautiful and it is a gift, it did not come lightly or without a high price.  May I remember that.  May I not treat it lightly, but put it in high regard in the way I chose to live out the life You have given me.  May we never forget!  Through the saving work of Christ I come, Amen & Amen.

 

None of us live a single week without giving proofs of our weakness, folly, and depravity. To broken-hearted souls alone the Savior is precious indeed. – Matthew Henry

NEVER FORGET!