01/11/07

The Power of PRAISE and WORSHIP

Luke 19:39-40 "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."


There is nothing wrong with praising God. It is encouraged and commanded thousands of times in the scriptures. The reason the Pharisees were so upset was because they didn't accept Jesus Christ as King. Indeed, it would be wrong for Jesus to accept praise if He wasn't King. This is another confirmation of Christ as King.

Only Luke records this instance of the Pharisees' objection and Jesus' answer. This was the triumphant entry of Israel's King that was prophesied and anticipated for centuries. The excitement could not be contained. If people refused to praise Him, then creation would have broken out in spontaneous praise. No rock should have to do what God created us to do.

By compiling all of the writers' accounts of what the multitudes were saying, we have this record: "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Mt. only). "Blessed is he" ("the King" --Lk.; "the King of Israel"--Jn.) "that cometh in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mk. only). "Hosanna in the highest" (Mt. and Mk. only). "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" (Lk. only).

Pride was one of the original sins according to Isaiah 14:12-14 what caused Satan's downfall. He wanted to be like the most High. One thing reserved for God alone is worship, and the devil has always sought that. If he can't be the one to receive worship, then he seeks to turn others away from giving true worship to the most High God. This is the reason why praise and worship to the Lord are such powerful tools against Satan. He can't stand to see God worshiped. Worship Him with all of your heart today.


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Lord Jesus Christ, You are King unto all creation in heaven on earth. It has been given unto You by the Father. Be King in my heart, rule every area of my life and let Your Kingdom come into my heart. I want too dance and praise You like Your disciples did, not only for today but all the days of my life. This I pray in Your Name. Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Luke 19:29-40
²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ³⁰ "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "
³² Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
³⁴ They replied, "The Lord needs it."
³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. ³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
³⁸ "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
⁴⁰ "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Isaiah 14:12-14
¹² How you have fallen from heaven,
   O morning star, son of the dawn!
   You have been cast down to the earth,
   you who once laid low the nations!
¹³ You said in your heart,
   "I will ascend to heaven;
   I will raise my throne
   above the stars of God;
   I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
   on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
¹⁴ I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
   I will make myself like the Most High."

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