No One Even Comes Close

“Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: ‘Blessed is He who comes, the King in God’s name! All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places.’ Some Pharisees from the crowd told Him, ‘Teacher, get Your disciples under control!’ But He said, ‘If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.’”—Luke 19:37-40

The definition of Biblical praise may be one of the largest in God’s warehouse of wonderful words. It’s a definition that has no period at the end. In fact, it shoves good grammar rules aside in favor of a fantastic, never-ending sentence. And the Palm Sunday procession helps remind us why God mentions its various expressions nearly 9,000 (!) times.

For starters, praise is our first action when praying the Lord’s Prayer.

It is the first word in the greatest-ever hymn of thanks: Doxology.

It is the first thing Paul does before encouraging the early churches.

Most of all, it is the fruit of our lips from a thankful life.

It glorifies God for all we have “heard and seen.”

It defies the darkness and causes prisoners to sit up and listen.

It causes seemingly impenetrable walls and situations to crumble.

It routs a host of pressures and attacks from all sides and angles without lifting a finger.

And, it is always something that’s sorely lacking in our day: positive and uplifting.

From the highest angel in the heavens to the smallest child in the Palm Sunday processional, praise declares: God is God alone, God is awesome, God is amazing, God defines love...

...and no one else even comes close.

And when the enemy of your soul says not to get carried away praising God from whom all blessings flow, and to get it “under control,” it’s good to know that Jesus—and every stone and all of creation—always has our back.

“Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, You’ve taught me the truth about life! And let Your promises ring from my tongue; every order You’ve given is right…I love it when You show Yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise You well; use Your decrees to put iron in my soul.”

—Psalm 119:171-72, 175, The Message

[ADAPTED FROM 4-13-14]