HOSANNA!
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11: 9-10 (NIV)
The origins of the word Hosanna are fascinating. In Hebrew, the word was originally used as a desperate plea or prayer for help. As the word evolved, however, the meaning came to encompass even more. It became a word for both desperate cry for help and celebration. How did it come to have such a paradoxical meaning? Because when we pray, God moves.
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey that day, the crowd shouted, Hosanna! —a cry that expressed both their desperate plea for deliverance from oppression and their joyful anticipation as they watched God's faithfulness unfold before their eyes. That one little word has so much meaning, hope, honesty, desperation and celebration tied up in it.
When we truly know God, our hearts naturally respond with love and trust. Even when life hits hard, the pain feels overwhelming, and provision seems distant, we can still cry out, Hosanna, knowing He hears us and will remain faithful—it’s simply who He is. This is why we can find reason to celebrate in every season.
King David understood the paradox of this when he wrote,
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
In waiting, we can celebrate—not because circumstances align with our desires, but because we believe God is faithful. His unfailing love and faithfulness stir a new song in our hearts long before the promise is fulfilled. God is faithful in hearing our prayers, being present with us in whatever we face, and being our good Father. Because of this, our hearts cry, Hosanna!
APPLICATION: Take time to celebrate God in your present needs, wants and prayers. Thank Him for who He has been to you and who He will continue to be in your life.
PRAYER: Father, You are so good. You not only hear me, but You’re with me. Thank You for always being faithful, present and accessible. There is no one like You! In your glorious name, Amen!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?