Hosanna!
Jay requested this song from Hillsong United’s own Brooke Fraser; it is a beautiful song; so deep and strong– it’s just HUGE!
So here it is, Jay, for your listening enjoyment!
“Hosanna” is a cry of adoration, which literally means “Oh, save!” It is what the people cried when Jesus the Messiah came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He, whose name is exalted in heaven and earth, came lowly to mankind. What a wonder! How He loves us, how He’s blessed us, not based on anything good or noble we have done.
People sometimes talk about this thing called luck. I think it’s like when something good happens to you or for you. I’ve got this joke now that I have “Charlie Brown luck.” For real; why is it that for a few select people, whenever they set their hands to something, everything goes wrong (or so it seems?) They are the ones who ask, “Who really wins contests?” They are most often the ones with big responsibilities. When they work very, very hard, they do well, but nothing tremendous falls into their laps. They are the ones always running like a chicken with it’s head cut off, because with every little thing they set their hands to do, fifty other things show up that stand in the way. They don’t show up all at once; they build up over the next couple of hours. They come across to other people as the type who “lose it” frequently. They talk quickly, bluntly, in jumbled words and sentences. They can look up solutions to their everyday problems all they want to, but of course, it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. They come across as goofy, because they cheer themselves with a unique outlook on life and situations. Nobody looks at them and says, “My, what a talented individual.” They aren’t usually popular, except for being known as the “odd-ball.” Yet strangely, people look to them for answers to the most puzzling enigmas. Probably because they’ve been through it already. They laugh more than others and cry more, too. To them, it’s just a matter of making the best out of being very different than other people. But every once in while, they fray at the edges and look up and say, “Why? Why special and unique? Why every day? Why am I always bearing so many burdens alone?”
You’ve probably guessed; I am one of those people. I know I have it better than Charlie Brown because I know the One who saves; I know my soul is saved, and I will live forever even though nothing good I ever did in the past earned it for me. But I still look up and ask why. Why do the craziest things always happen to me, and I also happen to be one with big responsibilities, and thus get blamed for a lot? (Some of you know that I say more than anything “I’m sorry.” Now you know why.) And every so often, when you bear many burdens alone, you become totally drained, usually in such a way so that EVERYBODY knows because everything stops running when you stop running it. And they think, “What’s his problem?” If only they knew. People talk about “stress.” If only they knew what “luck” was. Now I know that to a degree, this happens to everybody. But some of us are special, you see. See, I have seen other people do the same things I do, but somehow, for me things go totally haywire, and even others look at it and say, “Whoa.” (You’re most likely wondering why I’m going on about this. Keep reading; it’s a building effect.)
So yes, this is one of those “down points.” Because the human body can only do so much for so long. But that doesn’t mean the fun stops! No, you may not slow down a little bit, because there is just so much more MORE MORE! Today I asked again, “Oh, God, why? Why does all this happen? Can it please just slow down a little bit for just a little while? Every time I set my hands to do something, a hundred other things start calling while a hundred other things go wrong! I only see one other person in this whole world who this happens to (she’s my mother; I wonder if it’s genetic?) but it doesn’t help the situation stop!” I told Him why I was in such a desperate state, so worn-down and frazzled. So I told him about my Charlie Brown luck. His response:
“You are blessed.”
“Whoa,” I said. I guess I could have asked Him to explain, but I know that things are as He says they whether or not they appear to be so to me. And I could immediately think of several ways in which I am more fortunate (haha) than a lot of people. I personally don’t feel like I’m persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Not by people, anyway. I feel like I’m looked at as crazy; I feel like people don’t understand my situation and why I “break down” so often. But God says I am blessed!
Here is who the Scripture says over and over are blessed:
Blessed is the one who trusts in Him.
Blessed in the one whose sins are forgiven. (Amen!)
Blessed is the one whom the Lord chastens.
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord.
Blessed is the one who keeps His commandments.
Blessed is the one who gives.
Blessed is the one who watches for His Lord.
Blessed is the one who believes.
Blessed is the one who endures.
Here’s who our Savior says is blessed:
“ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)
That’s not who the world says is better off; that’s not who the world exalts; that’s not the ones who feel blessed. But it is who the Lord says is blessed. And for us who have been the Charlie Browns all our lives, it is a great step of faith to say, “Yes, Lord; I believe I am blessed.”
But I choose to believe in the One who saves; I believe that He is mighty to save; I believe that He stretches forth His hand to heal. And I believe I am blessed, just because He said I am.
That is a confession that comes out not with a feeling of happiness, but of pain– yet with conviction. It is not easy to choose when you are hanging by a thread. But God is the one who is faithful. That’s all that matters.
“Hosanna” is a pretty song; but it is a true song, one we can confess even when we have our downs. Here’s another live edition to close with!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3)