Growing up in Oklahoma, the word “holler” is not new to me.  I am amused by just saying it, however.  Did you ever have a word that just made you smile for no apparent reason?  “Hollering” does it for me.  Momma was hollering at her kids to come home for dinner.  Dad was hollering because he can’t find the tool he is looking for in the shed.  The kids were hollering at each other when Billy played the game unfairly.  The manager hollered at his employees when sales were down or when he got a complaint.  The church lady hollered at the pastor when didn’t do what she wanted him to do.  Everyone hollers at something or someone each day.

After the victory, David “hollers hosannas” to God for the victory, as we read in Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, The Message.  I love this.  David teaches us to expect God to intervene and then follow up with giving HIM all the glory.  This is a life lived of expectancy for God, trusting God with obedience to God.  This life leads to hollering hosannas of praise to the One and Only God who loves us more than we deserve, doles out generous grace and mercy that saves us from death.  That alone is the reason we holler hosannas today and always.  Amen?!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 21, The Message

A David Psalm

^1-7 Your strength, God, is the king’s strength.
    Helped, he’s hollering Hosannas.
You gave him exactly what he wanted;
    you didn’t hold back.
You filled his arms with gifts;
    you gave him a right royal welcome.
He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,
    and then made it a long life as a bonus.
You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,
    then dressed him in rainbow colors.
You pile blessings on him;
    you make him glad when you smile.
Is it any wonder the king loves God?
    that he’s sticking with the Best?

^8-12 With a fistful of enemies in one hand
    and a fistful of haters in the other,
You radiate with such brilliance
    that they cringe as before a furnace.
Now the furnace swallows them whole,
    the fire eats them alive!
You purge the earth of their progeny,
    you wipe the slate clean.
All their evil schemes, the plots they cook up,
    have fizzled—every one.
You sent them packing;
    they couldn’t face you.

¹³ Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it.
    We are out singing the good news!

TRUTH:  Helped by God, we holler hosannas!  “Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it. We are out singing the good news!’  We are hollering hosannas for all you have done, are doing and will do.  

In case you missed it in context, holler means to shout with all that is in you to get the attention of the one in whom your words are directed.  Who are you hollering to this morning?  What is the attitude of your hollering?  Who is the victor? 

Proverb 12:20-28, The Message

Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
    peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

²¹ No evil can overwhelm a good person,
    but the wicked have their hands full of it.

²² God can’t stomach liars;
    he loves the company of those who keep their word.

²³ Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;
    talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

²⁴ The diligent find freedom in their work;
    the lazy are oppressed by work.

²⁵ Worry weighs us down;
    a cheerful word picks us up.

²⁶ A good person survives misfortune,
    but a wicked life invites disaster.²⁷ A lazy life is an empty life,
    but “early to rise” gets the job done.

²⁸ Good men and women travel right into life;
    sin’s detours take you straight to hell.

WISDOM:  Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.  There is good hollering and bad hollering.  Be the one who makes a difference in someone’s life by hollering hosannas to God and blessings of encouragement to others.  Yes, be a blessing of God’s character today.  God smiles when we do.  He loves it when his kids get along in unity, loving each other like He loves us! 

A side effect of being genuinely cheerful, speaking words of encouragement to others, stems from an attitude of peace and gratitude that diffuses all worry.  God is like that. He takes the bad that happens and helps us see how He can use the bad for good in our lives.  Yes, God is the victor of all that the devil throws at us or in situations we brought on ourselves through bad decisions or missteps in judgement.  Lives given to God are victorious lives. 

Abba Father,

Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives for our good and your glory!  I’m hollering hosannas and praises to You this morning!  I love you with all that is in me because of realizing the deep love you have for me.  Help me to love like you love today.  Help me to see you at work and stand ready to join you when you provide the invitation and opportunity.  Oh Lord, You alone are worthy of all our praise.  Great are you, Lord, indeed! 

In Jesus Name, Amen!