Last week Dave and I took a day trip to the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert National Parks which are located in northeast Arizona. I remember going there as a child, I think I was probably six or seven.
Back then, I don’t remember a curio shop or a museum, I just remember the big petrified trees. We could walk right up to these massive rock trees and climb on them. It was so much fun.
Now there are Ranger Stations that you enter through, a museum and signs that tell you not to take any of the rocks. They give you a map with different locations marked on the road describing what you’re seeing and the significance of it. It’s just as beautiful as it was sixty years ago but the childhood fascination was gone.
I told the ranger that I had been here many years ago and he laughed when he said “the rocks are still here”. Very true.
Since April we have been to many places with large and interesting rock formations. Even the campground we are hosting at has a variety of boulders and rock outcroppings, some right in our own campsite.
This morning I remembered the words of Jesus when the Pharisees told him that He should stop the people from praising Him.
“They said, ‘Welcome! God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory to God!’ 39 Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if my followers didn’t say them, these stones would shout them.” Luke 19:38-40 ERV
He said that if the people didn’t praise Him the rocks would cry out in praise. Imagine that a “rock” band, all singing the praises of our God. Adds new meaning to the term rock concert, doesn’t it?
I wrote in my journal this morning, “Lord, I want to join the rocks in their praise of You. I will be a part of that concert”.
“The heavens keep telling
the wonders of God,
and the skies declare
what he has done.
2 Each day informs
the following day;
each night announces
to the next.
3 They don’t speak a word,
and there is never
the sound of a voice.
4 Yet their message reaches
all the earth,
and it travels
around the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 CEV
Join our rock band – join me and all of creation as we praise our Heavenly Father, join us as we praise Jesus, our Lord, and as we thank the Holy Spirit for being our Comforter and Teacher.
Tell yours friends you have been to the greatest rock concert of all times!
