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I came across this Palm Sunday reflection by Chip Stam, Director, Institute for Christian Worship, stirred by Samuel Crossman's (c. 1624-1683) My Song Is Love Unknown  It is so chilling and humbling for me to imagine myself as a part of the Jerusalem crowd that so easily waved their palm branches and shouted glorious praises to Jesus, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”; and then to realize that my fickle friends and I would be calling for his death a few short days later. This hurts! “No story so divine.” May I invite you to read the poem again, and notice the poet’s posture of worship in the final stanza.

Father, When I find myself in the wilderness (facing difficult circumstances as an individual or a member of the masses) grant me the grace to remember and give praise for your work through the ages, by/in your people, in the humble life/work/death of your Son, by the Presence of your Spirit, and deep within my own life. When I grumble not just in the difficult circumstances, but in my daily life like the Israelites in the wilderness, bring me to confession of my sin.  By your Spirit enable me to cast Satan from my presence and acknowledge you alone are to be worshipped, your grace alone provides the avenue and strength for the next step of the journey.  Each second of every day remind me that I am receiving your powerful, transformative, gracious work enabling me to live by faith in your promises with a glimpse of how you will complete the good work you began in creation and continued to be about in spite of the fall; responded to by your call of a people, the incarnation of His Son, and the gift of the Spirit to His People. Come Lord, come quickly! We look with eager expectation to the new heaven and new earth.  In the name of your Son Jesus who humbly gave His all for your creation and your people, Amen.