The Stones would immediately cry out
The Stones would immediately cry out
By Evangeline Unitty Esaaba Folson
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stone would immediately cry out.
The verse above is part of an account given about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As He entered into the city His disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. Then the Pharisees from the crowd asked Jesus to stop His disciples from shouting.
Then Jesus said, if they stop shouting, the stones will begin to praise Him. Christians can learn a great lesson from this statement. If we stop praising and worshipping God, living and non-living things that were not made to praise God will do so. This would be great disobedience on our part because Ecclesiastes 12:13 says
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
Keeping the Lords commandment involves praising and worshipping Him as He deserves.
Revelations 4:11
Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
In order to keep praising God as we ought to, we must:
- Study His word
Joshua 1:8
2 Timothy 2:15
- Learn to dwell in His presence
Psalm 91:1
Ephesians 6:18
Philippians 4:6-7
- Pray without ceasing
Jeremiah 33:3
1 Thessalonian 5:17
- Learn to give thanks in all circumstances
Psalm 100:4
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Study His word
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therin day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Studying the word of God as Joshua is directing involves not only reading the word but meditating (thinking deeply about its implications on your life) and memorizing it for future reference.
The bible says in Psalm 22:3 that God inhabits the praise of His people, meaning God loves to hear us praising Him.
With this in mind we must praise God frequently with words and songs. At least begin and end each day with song of praise.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rightly dividing the word of truth in my opinion means, study the word of God so much that you know what verse to fall on in your time of needs. For example you know that:
- In crisis Philippians 4:6-7 which says have no anxiety about anything but commit everything into Gods hands and He will keep your heart and mind in peace
- When you have pressing needs
- The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want
- Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Are verses that can encourage you.
Knowing God will supply all your need can make you praise Him freely even when you have not received what you need.
Learn to dwell in His presence
Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
The secret place of the Lord I believe is dwelling in His presence. You can enter into God’s presence by waiting on him through prayer, the study of the, and singing praises in the presence of God there is fullness of joy and you can continue raising the Lord for as long as you can.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
If you are praying always then you are carrying (waiting in the presence of Lord) or waiting on the Lord with fervent prayer, and concentration, without any distruction. Tarrying is a way of presenting to God your hearts desires.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving is a form of praise and the passage above says in everything, in both good and bad times learn to pray, and give thanks to God, in spite of whatever challenges or trial you may be facing.
Pray without ceasing
Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer there, and shew there great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
The above verse is an open invitation from the Lord to call on Him, anytime, anywhere and as many times as we wish. He is never too tired or occupied to listen to us. We need to pray without ceasing. And this will help us get closer to God and praise Him often .
1 Thesalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing. This is one of the shortest verses in the bible. The other shortest verse can be found in John 11:35 Jesus wept.
It says we should pray without ceasing or stopping. Meaning, we must pray morning, afternoon and eveninv, midnight and dawn.
We should pray as often as we need food to nourish our bodies. As we pray, we are going to intersperse it with songs of praise and Thanksgiving.
Learn to give thanks in all circumstances
Psalm 100:4
Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praises: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.
The verse above implies that we should learn to praise and thank God always because it ushers us into His presence. We learn to praise and thank Him in good times for the blessings he has bestowed on us. And praise and thank Him in bad times for the victory He will give us over our challenges and trials.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The verse above indicates that God desires that we thank and praise Him at all times. It does not matter whether our circumstances are favorable or unfavorable. Give thanks at all times because God can work out all things for you or good (Romans 8:28)
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