“Her children rise up and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28
Whether we admit it or not, most mothers dream of this as their new child is getting ready to make an appearance into this crazy world. We imagine the child growing smarter and wiser as we pass on our knowledge and skills to them. We can see them looking at us with awe and adoration and telling everyone how wonderful their life was because of us. When they are grown, we will have had a hand in helping that precious little creation become who they are, and then we look forward to even just a thank you or an emulation of what we taught them.
God created much more than a child. He created everything we see and everything we don’t. He wants our praises and expects others to see the evidence in our daily lives that we belong to our Father. Humankind has followed a roller coaster of praise since we were first created. At times, our praises have been loud and many. Then, we start to forget who is responsible for our joy and our very existence. Our praises dim until God allows us to be reminded once again who created us and is deserving of our constant praise.
But what happens when humans refuse to worship God? What happens when the world actively tries to shut the mouths of God’s people as they praise Him?
“But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40
Stones will cry out! Have you ever heard a rock exclaim anything? I haven’t, but if I ever hear it I will assume that humans have officially gotten as low on the roller coaster as they could possibly go…Silence.
Jesus was saying this to the Pharisees who were asking Jesus to hush his disciples. The disciples were all praising their Lord in surround sound as they brought him into Jerusalem on a colt covered with garments. But Jesus knew the Pharisees would not get the satisfaction they hoped for just by silencing the disciples. God, the Almighty Creator, WILL BE PRAISED! Every tiny speck of creation will praise God…even the rocks.
Humans are God’s greatest creation of all, yet we are the most reluctant to offer praise to our maker. I believe we (at least in this country) are sitting at the bottom of a new hill on the roller coaster, preparing to ascend. Politics, sickness, and Godlessness have plunged us down to such a low point that we are forced to look upward from the bottom. Just like in ages past, our praises will again grow in number as the newly humbled masses begin to see God and the veil is lifted. Christ’s bride is rising up to praise our God because we dare not give the rocks cause to cry.