Who Is The Cheerleader? God Or You?

The sound of March Madness has filled our home lately. The squeaking of shoes on the court, the cheers of the crowd, the commentary of the announcers... The excitement in the air can almost be felt through the TV. I am not really interested in basketball, instead I am more entertained by commercials and the NCAA commercial caught my attention with the tag line “Think of us as your cheerleader.”  In fact, it got me to thinking about my spiritual “game”.

Makes me think about the streets of Jerusalem as they were filled with excitement on one very special day 1,980 years ago. People lined the streets, palm branches waving.  Exuberance filled the air. “Hosannah!” “Hosannah!” They had waited for a deliverer, and as Jesus rode into the city they cheered Him on. The One on the donkey didn’t join in the enthusiasm. Instead, He wept, saddened by their lack of belief. They wanted Him to deliver them, but on their own terms and in their own way. They wanted Him to meet their expectations. They weren’t cheering because of Who He was, but for who they wanted Him to be. They wanted physical deliverance; He came to bring spiritual deliverance.

Often, I want God to be my cheerleader, to bring about my plans and in my timing,  I want the warm fuzzy feelings. “Bless ME…Bless ME…Bless ME!” I say. I want physical blessings here and now. I want God to fit in the box I designed to suit my purposes. I get it turned around. Backwards.

He gave up His life for mine and brought me spiritual blessings. Redemption. Salvation. Sanctifiaction. He has blessed me. He is my deliverer. And His plans and timing are far superior to my own.  I should be His cheerleader, so to speak. I should be praising Him…shouting about His greatness… cheering Him on in His will…getting others excited over His love. 

Psalm 63:3-5 (NIV)

³ Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Psalm 35:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you