Don't Be Harder Than a Stone

When Jesus reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
—Luke 19:37-40 NLT

For nearly 4,000 years, all of creation had eagerly awaited this momentous occasion. Prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, it was finally unfolding before their eyes. This was an event that warranted an outpouring of praise.

All the things the Lord has done and will do for us deserve our utmost praise. I refuse to let anything—whether the fear of man, the fear of my own inadequacy, or any obstacle—keep me from fulfilling my purpose as God has created me to do. I won’t succumb to the temptation of neglecting to testify to the goodness of God and expressing my praise for His blessings.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgives all my iniquities, and heals all my diseases! I’ll never forget what the Lord has done for me! (Psalm 103:2-3)! 

I’ll proclaim His name to my brothers and sisters.  I’ll  praise Him among His assembled people. He hasn’t made light of my suffering. He hasn’t turned His back on me but has listened to my cry for help in my time of need! (Psalm 22:22-24).  

Lord, I’ll fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. Those who are hungry will eat and be satisfied. All who seek You shall praise You. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy! (Psalm 22:25-26)

A stone is hard and unyielding, but not as much as a person who doesn’t praise You, Lord. I don’t want to be harder than a stone! If I don’t testify to your goodness, I’ll miss the encouragement that my praise brings to someone else and to myself. One moment in my life offered death and then You spoke life. How can I not praise You? How can I not stand before my brothers and sisters and share what you have done for me?