A Liturgy for the Local Church

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Pete

Often, I read Paul’s letter to the Romans through only the lens of a “great theological treatise” and forget it was written to a group of people. When I do this, I can take such pleasure in dotting theological i’s and crossing dogmatic t’s that I forget it’s written to correct some out-of-whack behaviors. The beliefs of chapters 1 through 11 are the foundation for the behaviors laid out in chapters 12 through 15. And so, as I hover over the latter part of Romans 12 this morning, I hear me saying to myself, “Self, wouldn’t these verses make for a powerful liturgy for the local church?”

The church leadership team I serve with is “into” liturgies. Not just our Sunday morning liturgy of intentional rites and rhythms of worship, but also other, targeted, functional liturgies — what Webster defines as a repeated “repertoire of ideas and phrases.” As a group of elders, we start our elder meetings with a liturgy, five simple points we read together as a reminder of who is the Chief Shepherd of our church, how He’d have us care for each other as a well as for our flock, and the reason for why we meet. We have a preaching liturgy which is read whenever we are able to get together to provide feedback on each other’s sermons. They are another five simple reminders to keep us focused on what a sermon is and what it is not. I have found these regular reminders so helpful. I need the repeated grounding in what constitutes not just Christian beliefs but also Christian behaviors.

Cue Romans 12:9-21. Depending on how you parse it, twenty or so brief commands that Paul wanted to mark the body of believers at Rome. A church which, if any church needed to combat the potential for division, they did.

They were a hybrid congregation of Jew and Gentile. Background biases? More than you could count. Depths of theological understanding? All over the map. Socio-economic standings? Talk about diverse! A kaleidoscope community if ever there was one. And yet, one body. Each one in Christ and thus a brother and sister and member of each other. Each a work in progress. Each waking up every morning with the old man in them warring with the new creation in Christ they had become. Each one in need of a reminder of how to intentionally live together as one body — as Paul puts it to the Ephesians, of how to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). And Paul gives them what I think could be a liturgy (though perhaps, a little longer liturgy). Simple reminders serving to refocus them on sanctified relationships.

Saddle up for a longer than normal reading this morning . . .

  • Let love be genuine.
  • Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
  • Love one another with brotherly affection.
  • Outdo one another in showing honor.
  • Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
  • Rejoice in hope.
  • Be patient in tribulation
  • Be constant in prayer.
  • Contribute to the needs of the saints.
  • Seek to show hospitality.
  • Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
  • Live in harmony with one another.
  • Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
  • Never be wise in your own sight.
  • Repay no one evil for evil.
  • Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
  • If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
  • Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
  • If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink;
  • Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:9-12 ESV)

Imagine reading these together every Sunday morning together as a fellowship. If not every Sunday, how about once a month, or at least at every members meeting? Could it impact the polarization in our churches and the division in our hearts? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Not because we’d double down and try harder, but because, through the power of God’s word and the sanctifying work of the Spirit, we’d be transformed by the renewing (repeatedly) of our minds as we preached to ourselves the gospel of what God’s will is, of what is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

Just a thought.

That we might be the local church by His grace.

That we might be the local church for His glory.

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It’s Simple. Shouldn’t It Be Easy?

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Pete

A Saturday morning journal entry, a Saturday morning post. Can’t remember the last time I did that. But I have some time alone this morning and thought I’d give it a try. Really haven’t had much alone time this week as I’m engaged in a tri-country, partial family reunion. My oldest daughter and her family from Canada and me from the USA flew down this week to spend a bit of time with my youngest daughter who lives in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. This while my other daughters and their families in Washington and Oregon are “enjoying” some winter (good week to be gone). So, I have been fitting in my daily readings where I can.

And for some reason (could be a Spirit reason), wading into Deuteronomy this week has been more impactful than I remember it from past years. And what hits me after the first dozen chapters is that what Moses is laying down really shouldn’t be rocket science to pick up. It’s actually pretty simple. So, shouldn’t it be easy? Evidently not.

You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey . . .

(Deuteronomy 5:33, 6:3, 11:26-27 ESV)

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live . . . Be careful to do them, that it may go well with you . . . I am setting before you a blessing if you obey . . . Chew on that. Simple, right?

Not foreign. Same today. “Trust and obey; for there’s no other way; to be happy in Jesus; but to trust and obey” (well-known hymn . . . at least for us boomers). Simple. So, just do it.

Moses is talking to those who have grown up in the wilderness. Those who have all buried both parents and older brothers and sisters along the way. Those who know that the graves are reminders of a generation who did not trust and obey. So, you’d think that when Moses says, “Keep the commandments and it’s going to go well for you”, that they’d say, “Sure, we’ll do that. Easy!”

Yeah, but not easy. For even if the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak (Mt. 26:41). I’m not talking theory here, I’m talking experience — like decades of too much experience.

Oh, the power of the flesh — even in those who have been redeemed and rescued from slavery and sincerely want to live in freedom. Oh, the lure of Egypt that draws us back to ways that are not God’s ways. Oh, the temptations of the man (and woman) whose father is Adam (and mother is Eve). Oh, the reflex propensity to cover-up with self-made coverings and hide and convince ourselves that somehow we’re still “mostly righteous.”

I know it. Paul knew it, too. Yeah, that Paul — THE Apostle Paul.

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

(Romans 7:22-24 ESV)

Answer? Jesus!

Jesus the only man who fully knew the “happiness” of “trust and obey.” The One who knew the blessing of perfect obedience. The One whose spotless perfection allowed Him to be my atoning sacrifice. The One whose unwavering righteousness was credited to my account so that I too might “live long” and “multiple greatly” as God has “promised.”

Thank God for the gospel. Not just the gospel that saved me almost 50 years ago, but the gospel that continues to keep on saving me from 50 days ago and 50 minutes ago. Days and minutes where though I longed to walk in the way, and to be careful to obey His commandments, so often I ceded the victory to the “waging war” in my “members” — the struggle of the old man, the flesh in me, against the Spirit, Christ in me (Gal. 2:20, 5:17).

Obey. Simple.

Obey. Not so easy.

Obey. Something I desire to do more and more, each passing day, only by His transforming grace. And only for His everlasting glory.

Amen?

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The King

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Pete

Two words. That’s what jumps from the page of my bible this morning. Not the first time I’ve encountered these two words as I’ve been reading in Matthew, but it’s the first time they’re used this way. In the genealogy, I encountered the king David (Mt. 1:6). And then there was the one who sought to destroy the Child, Herod the king (Mt. 2:3). Not to be confused with that other Herod, the king who was sorry for the foolish oath that caused John the Baptizer his head (Mt. 14:9). And then there was fictitious royalty, the king of the parable in Matthew 22. But reading in Matthew 25 this morning, it’s the first time I encounter the King!

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. . . . Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'”

(Matthew 25:31, 34 ESV)

The King . . . Chew on that.

Jesus. The Nazarene. The Christ. The Good Shepherd. The Lamb of God. Isaiah’s suffering Servant. Daniel’s Son of Man. At His first coming, emptied of divine majesty, found in human form, “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php. 2:6-8). But when He comes in His glory . . . He will sit on His glorious throne . . . the King.

Behold the King! Our King! King Jesus!

Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)

The King is Lord! The King is coming!

And it is the King who, by His Spirit, says anew to me this day, “Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest. . . . Take My yoke upon you . . . for I am gentle and lowly in heart. . . . Find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:28-30). Rest found because I abide in the King and He in me (Jn. 15:4).

And it is the King that I worship afresh this day. Feebly, imperfectly, too often half-heartedly. Yet desirously.

And it is the King that I expectantly wait for this day. Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

What undeserved grace to know the King.

To God be the glory.

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An Antidote for The Wine of Confusion (2009 Rerun)

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Pete

This morning, in my reading plan it’s the combination of reading Psalm 60 and the latter part of Romans 8 which is so impactful. Of having “O God, You have rejected us” and “If God is for us, who can be against us?” served up on the same plate. It is the reality of life enveloped in the reminder of the promise. I wrote about it last year. I also found some thoughts I had “penned” back in 2009 when the New King James was my translation of choice. Chewing on those thoughts from 17 years ago. Rerunning them as they were 17 years ago.

Sometimes life can be pretty harsh . . . ya’ think? You just need to look beyond our borders and see what some endure as part of getting up in the morning and trying to get through the day. But even within our borders, especially now, many face uncertain and tough times. And, even within our own little worlds . . . from time to time . . . we can’t help but wonder, “What on earth is going on here?!? Why me?!?” It can be staggering . . . disorienting . . . sending you reeling . . . as David captures it so well in my Psalm 60 reading this morning, “You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion.” (Ps. 60:3 NKJV)

The wine of confusion . . . doesn’t that paint a picture? David’s context was the suffering of setbacks in battle against his enemies . . . though victory was eventually his, there were times when the battle seemed to be going the wrong way . . . when God seemed to have cast him off and broken him down (60:1) . . . it didn’t make sense . . . it left him staggering . . . reeling . . . it was like drinking the wine of confusion. No matter what he did . . . no matter how clever his battle strategy . . . despite his armies apparent superior strength . . . even though they were the people of God and theirs the cause of righteousness . . . they couldn’t get on top of it. What was going on?!?

But as you read Psalm 60, despite drinking deep of the wine of confusion, David never completely loses his orientation . . . though he staggers, he doesn’t lose his way . . . though things are blurry, He never loses sight of His God . . . thought the situation is desperate, he continues to call out to the Faithful One. “But You have raised a banner for those who fear You–a rallying point in the face of attack. Selah Now rescue Your beloved people. Answer and save us by Your power.” (60:4-5 NLT). There is a banner, a rallying point for those who are taking it in the teeth . . . ours is to call out to the God who owns us as His beloved people and look to Him for rescue through His mighty power . . . ours is to repel the wine of confusion . . . not forgetting the promises of the God who has spoken in His holiness (60:6-8) . . . confident that “through God we will do valiantly” (60:12).

In addition to reading Psalm 60 this morning, my reading plan had me in the latter portion of Romans 8, as well . . . check this out as an antidote for the wine of confusion . . .

“For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed in us” (8:18) . . . “We ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope” (8:23-25) . . . “The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses . . . we do not know what we should pray for . . . the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us” (8:26) . . . “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (8:31) . . . “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (8:35) . . . “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (8:38) . . . For I am persuaded that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:38-39).

Though he didn’t have the writings of Paul, these God-breathed, Spirit inspired words of Romans 8 are at the core of David’s stability in Psalm 60. Why God would allow us to see hard times . . . why He would seem to not go out with our armies (Ps. 60:10) . . . why He would allow the table to be set with the wine of confusion . . . is His to fully understand. Mine is to cling to the banner He has given to those who fear Him . . . mine is to cry out, leveraging the interceding ministry of the Holy Spirit . . . mine is to set my hope fully on His promise . . . to set my eyes upon that day of deliverance . . . to set my heart on the One who loved us unto death and enables us to be more than conquerors . . . fully persuaded that nothing will separate us from the love of God.

God, that You would allow Your people to drink from the wine of confusion is a bit of a mystery to me . . . that You can be trusted through the disorientation is of a certainty to me. Enable Your people, Lord . . . by Your grace . . . for Your glory . . . amen!

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He Will Sustain You (2013 Remix)

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Pete

Life isn’t always a McDonald’s. Sometimes you don’t get to pull up, place your order, and “have it your way.” It’s not a Starbucks. Though you might know exactly what you want and place your 25-syllable drink order with “extra sleeve no cup”, the fact is when you get to life’s pick-up window, what often ends up getting passed to you is not at all what you were expecting.

Sure, we have some influence . . . sometimes. And sometimes we might even feel like we’re in control. But then . . . BAM! . . . you end up getting a Chai Tea with an extra shot of espresso and no caramel. So, what do you do then?

Cast your burden on the LORD,
       and He will sustain you;
He will never permit
       the righteous to be moved.

(Psalm 55:22 ESV)

Looked up that word “burden”. Literally it means “that which is given”. It’s someone’s lot. In the psalmist’s case, it was a lot of lot — as in, is too much to bear. Listen to his song, and his burden is simply getting too heavy to carry.

For David, what he’s experiencing is a “double shot, no sweetener.” Enemies rising up against him. Worse yet, the betrayal of a friend, a companion that David had enjoyed “sweet counsel together” as they walked among the throng within God’s house (55:13-14).

But wait, there’s more . . .

The terrors of death were upon him, fear and trembling seized him, his heart was in anguish, and horror overwhelmed him. All he wanted to do was fly away or go hide in the wilderness (55:4-7). Instead, he casts his burden on the LORD.

David called to God (55:16). Morning, noon and night. Though sometimes all he could do was groan, David sought the Lord’s ear, asked Him not to hide Himself, pleaded with Him for mercy. And not because he was out of options. Not because it was simply a “last ditch attempt” when nothing else was working. But David called out to God because David trusted in God (55:23b). David was sure that, while he may have been struggling to keep his head above water, God was able to deal with what David had been given.

What a promise! Cast your burden . . . or cast your cares . . . on the LORD, and He will sustain you. He will help hold it together. He will help contain it. He will enable it to be endured. He will never allow His people to be defeated by whatever “surprise drink” is received at life’s pickup window.

Oh, to believe the promise of God. Oh, to trust in the God of the promise.

To take whatever life delivers and cast it upon the LORD. To know His all sufficient grace and His power in our weakness (2Cor. 12:9). To know the peace that passes understanding (Php. 4:6-7). To experience the reality that though what’s in the “the cup” might be bitter beyond bitter, that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

Welcome to today. Can I take your order?

Give me Jesus . . .

. . . no foam.

By His grace. For His glory.

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From Egypt Until Now

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Pete

As I read Numbers 14 this morning, if I had to put myself into the story, if I had to pick one of the cast members that I thought probably was there to reflect me, I’m not sure I’d like where I landed.

Certainly not Moses. And, though I’d like to think that Joshua or Caleb represent the material I’m made of, that might be a bit of a stretch. And so, I’m left with “the people” — the rank and file . . . the average Joe amidst the people of God — as the ones that serve as my mirror. The weary and the worn. The grumblers and those who think way too often, “Let’s just go back.”

They’re on the outskirts of the promised land — aka the land promised by God — the land that He said He would give to them (Num. 13:2). So God says to Moses, send 12 guys to go check it out. And they do, for 40 days. And they come back and report out that the land is beautiful, it’s bountiful, but its inhabitants are big. For most of them, way too big! While Caleb and Joshua are ready to go and take the land, the other 10 say, “Nope. Too big. Too hard. Can’t be done.” And the people (my people?) go with the majority.

And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? . . . ” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

(Numbers 14:2-4 ESV)

Wrong thing to say. The glory appears. And the God of glory says to Moses, in effect, “I think I’m done with this people.” And Moses the intercessor says, in effect, “LORD, for the sake of Your Name — for the sake of Your glory, You can’t be done with this people” (Num. 14:11-18).

“Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of Your steadfast love, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”

(Numbers 14:19 ESV)

From Egypt until now . . . That’s the phrase I’m chewing on this morning.

From Egypt until now . . . From the moment of deliverance, along the way of sojourning to the destination, Father You have been pardoning the iniquity of this pilgrim, one of the people.

Because of Your steadfast love, Your grace has over-flowed. Though You have rescued the boy out of the world, this journey continues to reveal how hard it is to remove the world from out of the boy. And through it all, You have forgiven . . . from Egypt until now.

Oh, how thankful I am for a God who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Num. 14:18) . . . from Egypt until now.

We’re not home yet. But almost. Not without sin yet. But if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin (1John 1:9).

From Egypt until now . . .

By His grace. For His glory.

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Vigilant 50+

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Pete

Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, what began as an ad campaign, became, for many, a life’s goal. Freedom 55.

The idea was that with the right investments (and the right company to invest them with, of course) one could retire from working and be “free” from full-time jobs and pursue whatever would allow them to “live happily ever after.” And for many, retiring at 55 became their life’s objective.

As I read in Numbers this morning, it’s another retirement plan that captures my thoughts. Vigilant 50+.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

(Numbers 8:23-26 ESV)

Keeping guard . . . being aware, taking heed, circumspect, attentive . . . literally, “to hedge about” . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Twenty-five years. That was the career of a Levite. Twenty-five years, then forced retirement. Twenty-five years — “That’s a lot of slicing and dicing”, as an old buddy of mine would say. And not just butchering sacrifices, but setting-up and tearing-down the tabernacle. Loading it up and moving it with carts and oxen, and for some, carrying the “holy things” on their shoulders (Num. 7:9). Heavy labor over many miles while sojourning in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. Thus, twenty-five years and then . . . they shall do no service.

But at 50, they didn’t retire and were free to do whatever they wanted. While at 50 they would do no service, they were still expected to minister to their brothers and be found keeping guard. They may have retired from active service, but they were always enlisted for protective service. Still found around the tabernacle. Still helping out. And with a vigilance and a wisdom and awareness born from years of experience. Remaining engaged. Wanting the holy to remain holy. Wanting the next gen to rightly carry the baton. Always keeping guard.

Vigilant 50+. A “retirement program” instructive for us senior saints?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Forever for His glory.

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Let’s Go to Work

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Pete

They never knew what it was to go look for a job. Never had to apply for a position. Never had to wonder what to do after waking up every morning. They just went to work. For they had been “brought near” the Lord and “set before” the High Priest. They were the Levites. And they were not their own.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be Mine, for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for My own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD.”

(Numbers 3:11-13 ESV)

The Levites shall be Mine, for all the firstborn are Mine . . . That’s the meal for the morning.

More than just stand ins, the Levites were substitutes. Substitutes for the firstborn of Israel — those who, on the night of deliverance from Egypt, were redeemed by blood (Ex. 12). And so, Moses was told by the Lord to “bring the tribe of Levi near” and to “set them before Aaron the priest” (Num. 3:5-6) — the language of bringing an offering, of presenting a sacrifice — because they were to take the place of those who had been bought out of slavery. And so, says the LORD, “They shall be Mine.”

And as I mull over those words, other words echo in my mind . . . “You are not your own”.

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

(1Corinthians 6:19b-20 ESV)

Not your own. For they shall be mine.

Bought with a price. Ransomed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1Peter 1:18-19).

So glorify God. No need to wonder what to do after waking up each morning. No need to apply for the position. For I have been brought near and set before the Lord — by the grace of the Father, because of the finished work of the Son, through the life-giving power of the Spirit.

I am His.

And He is mine.

So, let’s go to work.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Always Facing the Glory

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Pete

They couldn’t get close — something I read said about 3 football fields away — but they could get centered. Too dangerous to be adjacent, but too important not to be aligned. While they couldn’t go face-to-face with the glory of God, they were expected to be facing it.

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.”

(Numbers 2:1-2 ESV)

Facing the tent of meeting . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The tent of meeting. The place where the glory of God dwelt in the midst of His people. A pillar of cloud over it by day, a pillar of fire by night. The place where “the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex. 33:11), yet the place from which the rank-and-file needed to keep their distance. But distance didn’t preclude direction.

When it was time for Israel to pitch its collective tents at night, the Levites camped around the tabernacle — “so that there may be no wrath on the congregation” (Num. 21:53) — and the twelve tribes camped around the Levites. Three tribes to the east of the tent of meeting, three tribes to the south, three tribes to the west and three tribes to the north. All at a distance, lest the glory consume them, and yet all to be directed — facing the tent of meeting.

Every tent flap from the 186,000+ tents of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun pointed towards the west. All the front doors of the 151,000+ tents of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad opening towards the north. Each front porch of the 108,000+ front porches of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin pointing east. All the welcome mats of the 157,000+ homes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali welcoming to the south. Everyone — like, everyone — facing the tent of meeting.

How big a deal was being oriented to the place where the glory of God dwelt? Pretty big!

And it would continue throughout Israel’s history. When they prayed, wherever they prayed from, they would face Jerusalem, the place where the temple stood and the glory of God dwelt. Such a big deal for the ancient people of God to camp facing the tent of meeting.

And I think to myself, “Self, why are you so not concerned with facing the right way when it comes to facing the glory?” Because . . .

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

(2Corinthians 4:6 ESV)

In Christ, I’m always aligned to the glory. Not from afar, but up close and personal. Me abiding in Him, and He in me (Jn. 15:4). Not needing to face the tent but resting and rejoicing in the reality that I am the tent (1Cor. 3:16-17).

Able always to be centered. To be aligned. To be near. Always able to be facing the glory as, through my union with Christ, by faith I can look into the face of Jesus.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Kids Keep Singing (2014 Remix)

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Pete

Hear the word “Hosanna” and most of us will go immediately to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Cloaks spread on the road . . . branches cut from trees and laid before this One coming to them humbly, mounted on a donkey — the coming king foretold by Zechariah (9:9) and the other prophets.

The crowds surrounding Him . . . shouting at the top of their lungs, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9).

But as I was reading in Matthew this morning, I was surprised at a second mention of a choir of people crying “Hosanna.” The din of the crowds having died off, there was still a small group who continued the “Hosanna” rhythm after He entered the temple area. A small group . . . literally . . . as in a group of small people. The kids keep singing . . .

And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise’?”

(Matthew 21:14-16 ESV)

You can imagine that those who had been singing the song outside the temple started losing the tune when they started seeing Jesus turn the place upside down — like literally turning the place upside down. Jesus is overturning tables and flipping over chairs. Change is bouncing off the pavement. Animals are bleating in excitement. Pigeons are in a flap. Not hard to imagine a bit of chaos in this place of unholy commerce.

And then there’s the disapproving presence of the priests and scribes as they cast a steely glance at this Jesus of Nazareth. Already determined to find a way to put him to death, you can just see in their hardened faces that they are done with Him. So, I’m guessing the song has died out and the crowd has stopped singing altogether. No more, “Hosanna!” from this group.

But not the kids. The kids keep singing.

The children, having seen the “wonderful things” Jesus’ was doing — having taken note of His healing of the blind and lame — take up the song the adults have determined is no longer politically correct. Amidst the chaos of the cleansing of the temple and despite the cold, condemning eyes of the religious leaders — even though the crowd has gone silent — the kids keep the chorus going, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” And so, the praise continues, ordained of God, prepared for the kids.

I imagine they cried out with joy and excitement. The same way you hear a kid crying out, “Again!” as you push them on a swing or give them some other ride. “Again!”

In this case though, the children are not asking to receive something more. Instead, they delight in giving something more — adoration to the One who is worthy of all adoration. They desire to declare the Name of Him whose name is Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace. Their joy is in offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of their lips, a sweet-smelling aroma offered to heaven’s portal. All out of the mouths of babes.

Undistracted by the activity. Undaunted by the animosity.

Though the crowds have gone quite . . . the kids keep singing!

O’ that I might be such a kid. The song fresh despite the circumstance. The voice determined regardless of disapproval. The praise which God has prepared for me to deliver, offered wholeheartedly.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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