Today’s Bible Reading: Esther 2, Proverbs 15:18-33, Luke 19:28-38, Titus 2:11-15 Luke 19:28-38: The triumphal entry—famous for its celebration and praise—has a different flavor for those of us who know the opposition that is in wait for Jesus. Even in verses 39 and 40, when the Pharisees object to the praise that Jesus is receiving, we sense the growing opposition and antipathy. But for now all is celebration. “The Lord has need of it”; the simple reason for the use of the colt. Sufficient in and of itself. When the Lord has need of something, then that thing is to be provided for him. Are we willing to be used by God as he has need of using us? Let us commit again this morning to be ready to go where he sends us, come as he calls us, serve as he wills us. Note the praise of the whole multitude of the disciples. They rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. Christian praise is loud praise for it is loudly praising the Christ! There is joy—not long face and scowl. But loud, joyful exuberance! Let us praise God in this way. Sometimes we do not feel like praising God. The solution is to look at the Christ and reflect on “all the mighty works” that we have seen. Reflect on the cross and resurrection. Reflect on the salvation that Christ has won for us. Reflect on Christ’s work of providence in our lives—the prayers he has answered, the deeds he has done, the way he has provided for us over and over again. Would you, this morning, spend time reflecting on the “mighty works” of Christ that you might find your voice and your heart lifted up to Christ in loud, joyful praise! And look at what they are saying in their praise! Taken from Psalm 118 verse 26, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” In fulfillment of chapter 13 verse 35, and in fulfillment of Psalm 118 in Jesus who is the Christ.  Would you use that psalm as your song of praise this morning? That his love endures forever, is fulfilled in Christ, and reaches to you who believe even today:

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

²  Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ³  Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ⁴  Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

⁵  Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. ⁶  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ⁷  The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

⁸  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. ⁹  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

¹⁰    All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! ¹¹    They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! ¹²    They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! ¹³    I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.

¹⁴    The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. ¹⁵    Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, ¹⁶        the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

¹⁷    I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. ¹⁸    The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

¹⁹    Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. ²⁰    This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. ²¹    I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. ²²    The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. ²³    This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴    This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵    Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

²⁶    Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. ²⁷    The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

²⁸    You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. ²⁹    Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”