Let the Stones Cry Out!

Monday 1-19-15 (Home)   

Scripture reading:      Gen 47-48       Ps 10       Luke 19

S.  Luke 19:37-40  As they reached the place where the road started down from 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.  "Bless 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!"  NLT

O.  Jesus always had a remarkable answer for the religious people that criticized Him and His followers.  “Silence this crowd of enthusiastic men, women and even little children and these stones (and there were many) will burst into praises!”  And once Jesus had gone to the cross, come back to resurrected life and ascended into heaven, these same men did everything they could to silence the voice of every enthusiastic follower of Jesus who sang praises to His name.  Many, like Saul the persecutor, hauled them off to prison and stood by to approve their death sentence. 

A.  The Apostle Peter writes, “…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5-6 NIV)  We have become the living stones that worship God.  Man has done some remarkable feats with stones.  The Egyptian Pyramids are one example.  But only God can make stones sing His praises.  And some among us were once God haters, as hard as a stone, but they are now standing before the throne singing His praises.

P.  Thank You Lord!  You can make stones sing!  No wonder that my heart bursts into song as I look up toward You.  May the criticizers never silence this living stone!  May my voice be reserved for Your worship!  Blessed be the King!  Amen.

Note:  My late younger sister, Joyce, wrote the words and music to a wonderful chorus, almost like an anthem: (If you are a musician I encourage you to play the music shown below.)

Blessed be the King

by Joyce Solomon (Sheet music below)

Blessed be the King.

Oh praise our great Redeemer!

All the stones would now cry out

If we should hold our peace.

Let our voices ring

Our grateful thanks we offer

To our Lord Who washed away

All our iniquities.

Sing praises!  Sing praises!

Exalt the Lord Our God!

Sing praises!  Sing praises!

Exalt the Lord Our God!