Hi Brian!

This week we'll be looking at a phrase instead of just a word. The phrase is "cry out" and it's found in two places in the New Testament:

Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. KJV

Luke 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. KJV

This is the Greek word "krazo". Strong's Concordance says: to 'croak' or scream, to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to vociferate (Dictionary definition: shout, complain, or argue loudly or vehemently), to speak with a loud voice. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: "an onomatopeic (Dictionary definition: creation of words that imitate natural sounds.) word, of any inarticulate cries from fear, pain, etc."  

The message that I see here is, in the first instance, a faith and desire so strong that he could not contain himself, but gave voice to his greatest need and desire, so that JESUS would hear and do what only He could do! That came out of a great faith that JESUS COULD do what was needed and a great hope that He WOULD! In the second instance we find that JESUS Himself said that if His people didn't praise Him, His creation (the rocks being part of it) WOULD do so. My challenge to myself here is to NEVER be outdone by a rock! I have learned even more in this last year how very important it is for us to give voice to the Word of God that we desire to see manifested! I have also learned more about the great POWER that is found in the praises of God's people! The enemy cannot stand in the presence of the Lord and He inhabits the praises of His people! The more we shake up the air waves with sounds of the praises of God, the more the enemy fears us and cannot stand to be in OUR presence! I am making it a commitment to do SO MUCH MORE of this in this next year! Here is a new song by Hillsong's Worship Psator, Brooke Ligertwood, called "A Thousand Hallelujahs":

Lyrics: Who else would rocks cry out to worship Whose glory taught the stars to shine Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing But this joy is mine With a thousand hallelujahs We magnify Your Name You alone deserve the glory The honor and the praise Lord Jesus this song is forever Yours A thousand hallelujahs And a thousand more Who else would die for our redemption Whose resurrection means I’ll rise There isn’t time enough to sing of all You’ve done But I have eternity to try Praise to the Lord To the Lamb To the King of heaven Praise for He rose Now He reigns We will sing forever (We sing) Praise to the Lord To the Lamb To the King of heaven Praise for He rose Now He reigns We will sing forever

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!