SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO PRAISE HIM!
And He said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone..." (Mark 1:44a)
But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news about, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city.... (Mark 1:45a)
During the Depression many families had to migrate from one place to another in order to find work. One such family went to the bus station one day to board for a nearby city. The father went into the station to purchase tickets for his wife and two children while they remained outside. When it was time to board the bus, the father gave them their tickets and told them that he would be on later. He did not tell them that he only had enough money to purchase 3 tickets, which he gave to them. He started walking on the road to the city of their destination. As the bus pulled out, his wife and daughter realized what was happening as they saw the father walking on the side of the road. They wanted to do something to help but understood that they were helpless to stop the bus and let him board. They remained silent as though they did not know him. However, the young son began to yell, "that's my daddy....that's my daddy!" The mother tried to get the son to be quiet because he might be disturbing the other passengers. But he kept on yelling. The little boy remembered how his daddy had done so much for him over his young life and he could not hold his peace.
In the passage above, Jesus had just healed a man of leprosy. Jesus told him not to tell anyone, but he should submit himself to the priest. The man was so grateful however, like the little boy, he could not hold his peace. He went out and began to publish it.
Although there are places and times when we are expected to be quiet and follow strict decorum, I can understand the need to praise the Lord for His goodness in our lives. God's grace and mercy has continuously blessed us when we did not know how we would make it otherwise. Some people are shy about telling others what Jesus has done for them. I am not. If it had not been for the Lord on my side, I don't know how I could have made it to this point. For me, He has made a way out of no way. For me, He is a burden bearer. For me, He has picked me up, turned me around, and planted my feet on solid ground....... again and again.
So if you happen to sit next to me and I begin to proclaim the goodness of the Lord, don't get upset with me. SOMETIMES I JUST HAVE TO PRAISE HIM!
