By, Ginger E. Mosher
www.GEMgallery.org
© All rights reserved by Ginger E. Mosher
The power of praise echoes through the generations. When a parent affirms a child, or a teacher praises their student, they are strengthening them to succeed. As an oasis of praise, they are giving that child or student a drink of cool water that will have a lasting effect on their lives.
Based on the great commission— “to make disciples of all nations” —I was shown to paint the mystery of praise passed down through the ages. (See Matthew 28:19 NKJV) The composition began with a sketch of a self-propagating plant which grew into a mature palm tree, symbolizing praise, in an oasis type setting. Even as palm branches were waved to praise Jesus when He entered Jerusalem (See John 12:13 NKJV), we raise the palms of our hands in worship as instruments of praise. And when we do, our praise propagates, multiplying praise to our triumphant King.
Like the early church—spreading the good news of the gospel which brought great joy to the cities wherever they went—we spread the good news of Jesus wherever we go through our living praise. (See Acts 8:6,8 NKJV) The mystery of the multiplication of our praise is because people are watching, learning, and being drawn to the love of God. As He inhabits our praise, others are being drawn by His very presence which provokes them to praise.
What a privilege it is to be an oasis of praise in a dry place. Resting in His unconditional love and acceptance; dwelling in the goodness of God, no matter the circumstance; filled with His joy, our praise becomes a pool of refreshing, encouragement, comfort, and edification for others.
The large palm tree, in the foreground, represents a mature parent plant, the smaller palms symbolize its offspring or sphere of influence. The colors carry meaning: purple—the royal privilege of praise, turquoise—the priestly purpose of praise, and green—the life our praise produces. On the original painting, flecks of gold in the atmosphere reflect God’s glory at work in, and through, our praise. The rainbow-like arcs of purple and turquoise connect the background with the foreground of the scene to illustrate how praise of God expressed through the ages makes disciples of nations.
Echoing through this painting, I hear— “Shalom, shalom Jerusalem,…May His praise be found in you,”[1] May we, His disciples, be so full of His shalom—peace, wholeness and maturity—that His ever-flowing praise is found multiplied throughout the world.
[1] Paul Wilbur. “Shalom Jerusalem.” CD: Shalom Jerusalem. Integrity Music. Mobile, Alabama. 1995.
Oasis of Praise