John 12: 12-13
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
On that first Palm Sunday the crowds came to celebrate as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. They were full of hope that he would be the warrior king for whom they had been waiting. Little did they know that he was in fact riding into the city to face an agonising death on a cross. How their praises must have fallen silent as their hopes and dreams seemed to be dashed.
This image is a reminder of the power of praise despite the circumstances of our lives. We sometimes find it difficult to praise God when things around us seem bleak, cold and hopeless. And yet praise and thanksgiving can bring about a change – in our perspective at the very least – and show us a way forward where there seems to be no way. At some of the darkest times in my own life I have found that worshipping God – even just listening to worship music – seems to help me to lift my head and changes the atmosphere around me, enabling me to trust God and know he is with me.
Reflect
Are you able to praise God today whatever the circumstances you are facing? Why not put on some worship music and invite the Holy Spirit to lift your eyes towards Jesus and change your perspective.
Prayer
Lord Jesus help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and not on the circumstances around me. Help me to know your presence with me and to trust you to make a way where there seems to be no way. Amen.
