Declare Your Praise

 

"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40)

 

A survey of the Old Testament reveals a very interesting pattern. Stones were often used to mark an encounter with God, a reminder of God's covenant with man, or a reminder of victories won.

Joshua 24:27 is one such example, "And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God."

Is it no wonder that Jesus quickly rebuked the Pharisees for attempting to silence the praise of the people as he triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem riding a colt amidst the waving palm branches acknowledging his majestic reign as King. The children of Israel understood the significance of Jesus' statement regarding the stones crying out.

You can well imagine that all around them stood stones which, according to what they had been taught from early childhood, were a memorial to God's faithfulness to their forefathers. And when Jesus proclaimed that if the people did not offer Him praise and adoration, all they had to do was look at the stones all throughout the region that had been set in place telling the story of God's provision and victory over their enemies.

It is also a proven scientific fact that stones are affected by sound. Joshua told the people that the stone "shall be a witness unto us for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us." The stone not only marked a tangible memorial, but also bore witness to the voice of the Lord to His people.

How marvelous is the Word of God! The Old Covenant and the New Covenant met together in Jesus Christ. He was the link between both covenants, and He still is. Psalm 85:10-11 says, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." Mercy . . . provision of our Righteous God to a people who never deserved it. Truth . . . Jesus Christ, the "way, the truth, and the life" springing out of the earth. Jesus said He did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill the law. His reference to the stones crying out (testifying) is just one example how He fulfilled and brought clarity and understanding to the pages of the Old Testament.

Take some time to day and declare your praise and adoration for the Messiah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords . . . "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" And remember, there is a memorial set in Stone proclaiming God's faithfulness to all generations, the Stone which the builders rejected that has become the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.

 

Father, may my praise for you never cease. You are glorious. You are marvelous. There is none like you in all of creation. You are righteous. You are holy. You are mighty and full of strength. You are my hiding place. You are my strong tower. You are the Most High God. You are my Provider. You are my Protector. You are my Shield and Fortress. You are the praise on my lips. At your Word the world became. Glory be to your most Holy Name. Redeemer, Savior, King, Lord, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Healer, Deliverer, the Author and Finisher of my faith. My Victorious King, I worship You and praise You and give You all the glory due Your most marvelous name. Hosanna in the highest! Hallelujah! Amen!

 

"For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it." (Habakkuk 2:11)

 

© Jan Ross
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