In The Garden
"Where's Your Palm Branches"
Pastor Wayne Clabaugh

Read Larger Print Devotional by Clicking here

Scripture: "So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" John 12:13

So where is your Palm Branches my friend? Did you put them away since yesterday's service? Didn't have any Palm branches? What about your kids? Did they make some paper ones so that they could be a part of the procession during the pageantry in the main service? Did your service even have Palm branches?

C'mon Brother Wayne, what's all this stuff about Palm Branches? Why's that so important?

Well, a lot of people miss it, but beside your white robe, that's the only other thing you will have when you stand before the Throne of God. Look at it with me there in Revelation chapter 7.

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms (palm branches) in their hands;" Revelation 7:9 (KJV)

You probably won't like what I'm going to say next, because it will hit home with you - it will tag your spirit in such a way that you won't be able to forget it. That means you will have to do something about it and that you will have to give an account for it. But friend, everything I say to you in the Name of the Lord goes double for me. I'm not exempt from accountability - nor would I want to be. but let me tell you what a palm branch represents.

A Palm branch is not just something we did for the kiddies through the years to remind them of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

A Palm branch represents an emblem of righteousness and faithfulness to the cause of Christ. It's important to note that those who were waving those Palm Branches were not just Christians -they were JEWS who believed in Christ! They waved those Palm Branches when He entered the city because they thought He was going to "do away with"; or "to abolish" the ruling powers and that enslaved them - which is what he did, but on an entirely different plane than they hoped for.

But, some of them "got it" and picked up their Palm Branches once again and waved them when he appeared before them after His resurrection; and waved them high in the air when Thomas thrust his hand deep in his side and saw the gaping holes in His hands and feet that once had huge nails thrust through them. They waved their Palm branches when He told them that NOW was not the time to set up His Kingdom in Israel, but that the Holy Ghost would come upon them and they would be His witnesses that He AROSE - not just in their own community, but to the uttermost parts of the Earth. (ref., Acts 1:7,8) They waved their Palm branches every time a sinner was converted and a body was Healed. They waved their Palm Branches every time one of their own would fall - giving Him Glory for the WORDS He had spoken in their midst saying,

"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (Ref., John 14:2,3)

Throughout the New Testament, time after time we read of the Palm Branches of Righteousness and faithfulness being waved through the greatest of diversity and the most miraculous of life circumstances... and it blessed the Lord... it blesses the Lord. I don't mean that it only blesses "the Lord" which it does and I'm sure that all of Heaven is moved when another Soldier of the Cross stands all alone in the midst of the most trying circumstances and says, "I lift you up Lord God. I Praise Your Name Lord God - even through this I bless your Name." While some may feel that you are a hopeless fanatic, and may even look at you and say, "What a fool"... there are others who look to God and say, "O GOD, come into my life in that way. Be REAL in my life that way... and before you know it - they too are waving Palm branches of righteousness and faithfulness and holiness unto the Lord.

So, what did you do with those palm branches from yesterday's Palm Sunday program? Didn't get any? Lift your heart in praise and release your mind and spirit unto the Lord today and proclaim Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords today in all that you do. It's not a season my friend.. it's a way of life.

Let's pray:

Oh Father God: I life up my voice in praise and adoration to you and to Your wonderful Name. I give YOU Glory for my life and for all my circumstances because I know that You are there with me "through it all". Oh Lord, I pray that this week, You will begin to make Calvary REAL TO ME in a way that I have never experienced before. Father Help me to pick up those Palm branches of Righteousness and Faithfulness and even though much of the World is bashing You and bashing Jesus and bashing anyone and anything that has to do with Jesus, I will wave my Palm Branches Oh Lord in Your Name and for Your sake and I will not quit until You come. I LOVE YOU O LORD! YOU ARE MY GOD AND I PRAISE YOUR BLESSED NAME! And it is In Jesus' Name I Pray, and give you Glory Amen, Amen.