O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us
success.
“Help, help!” I screamed from the depths of the dark, dank crawlspace into
which I had unexpectedly plunged moments earlier. My family was building a new
home and the floors weren’t finished. I ran through the open rooms and
accidentally stepped on a piece of sheet metal that covered a hole where the
fireplace would be. Instantly, I fell nine feet.
My parents were above the floor somewhere nearby. Momentarily, my dad’s
flushed face appeared through the opening above me. “Help me, help me!” I shouted,
more hopeful this time. Within minutes, he had rescued me. I’d sustained only minor injuries.
Hosanna, originally a Hebrew word, appears only one time in
the Old Testament—Psalm 118:25—and it means “Save, please!” It was a cry to God
for help when help remained unseen. This was the essence of my first desperate
plea for help as a young teen while running through our uncompleted house
decades ago.
Over the centuries, hosanna evolved
into a shout of hope and exultation. By the time of the New Testament writings,
as in John 12:13, the meaning became, “Hooray for salvation! It’s here!
Salvation! Salvation belongs to the king!”
They took palm branches and went out to
meet Him [Jesus], shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
Long-awaited King Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem. Hosanna! The Jews enthusiastically welcomed Him even though they
didn’t understand it all. Just as they cried out at the sight of their
salvation, I cried from the pit when I beheld my father’s face peering down at
me. Hooray! Hosanna!
What things are you crying out to God for help today? From what do you
need salvation? Are you in a pit of despair? Are you unhappy with your
circumstances? Do you need saving from your past? Do you need to receive the
Savior and be delivered from your sins, once and for all?
Whatever your need, call out to Jesus. Now. Welcome Him. Hosanna!
Karen Sims
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