Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, Hosanna!!!
- Corey Bjertness
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
12 The next day, the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13)
Sometimes, folks, you just have to shout, "Hosanna!" Praise and adoration aren't merely nice sentiments—they’re the oil that lubricates the wheels of our everyday lives. The Apostle Paul, never one to mince words, says plainly: "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
But Paul would agree—we can’t stop at thinking. We must speak these praises out loud! Sometimes, we have to shout it from the rooftops: "Hosanna! Praise the Lord!" Don’t let a single good deed slip by without a cheer.
Think about your own relationships—how much richer, fuller, and more joyful they become when seasoned generously with praise and affirmation. Now, let me be transparent here: I am no marriage guru. Half the time, I'm just hoping to get through the day without messing something up. But even I have learned this: when I come home and exclaim, "Holy cats, Bev! You look amazing today!" somehow, the rest of the evening just seems brighter. Praise makes a difference!
It's exactly the same with God. When you witness God doing something extraordinary—or even something simple yet beautiful—don’t hesitate. Say it loud and clear, “Wow, God! Nice job!”
I recall a convention at Assisi Heights in Rochester some years ago with the staff from my previous church. Assisi Heights is a lovely Catholic convent, welcoming and peaceful. Walking down the hallway, we encountered an elderly nun, probably in her eighties. She glanced up at our youth director, Matt Cordes, paused, smiled warmly, and said, "Boy, the Lord sure knew what he was doing when he put you together!" We’ve laughed about that interaction countless times. But what did she truly say? She said, loud and clear, "Hosanna!"
Friends, adoration, and praise—spoken loudly and joyfully—are the sacred oils that smooth out our relational, emotional, and spiritual journeys. My prayer for each of us is simple yet profound: When Jesus returns, may He catch us right in the middle of praise—joyfully, boldly, and unapologetically shouting, "Hosanna!"
