Originally posted 7/2/24
What does it mean to offer a sacrifice of praise? I think we all know what it means to praise the Lord. Praising God is easy when things are going well. What about when they are not? Are we as eager to praise God when our world seems to be crashing in around us?
A sacrifice is an offering. It is something that we must surrender or give up. Sacrifices were very common in the Old Testament to atone for sins. Christ became our sacrifice so we no longer had to make the sacrificial offerings. In the New Testament, we are reminded to offer a sacrifice of praise. Sometimes it might even mean giving up something that you want so badly that you cannot think about anything else. If we have to give up something extremely valuable then it becomes a sacrifice.
We are told in Hebrews 13:15, “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” A sacrifice is an offering. We are giving away something valuable. Praise is easy when things are going well. It’s easy to say “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) when things are going the way we want them to go. What happens when things happen to us and we cannot see their good? Does that mean that they are not working for our good? When does praise become a sacrifice? Can you still praise God then?
The very nature of a sacrifice suggests that it would not be easy. The sacrifice would not be to attain our salvation. That sacrifice has been settled with the cross. The sacrifice of praise comes when things are not going well or the way we thought they would. There are times in our lives when things have happened that we didn’t expect. Perhaps a test came back positive instead of negative. It is easy to give God praise when there is no cancer, but it is more difficult when there is cancer. What happens when we or someone we love loses their job? Our town recently heard the devastating news that our Pepsico plant was closing. Many good-paying jobs will be gone. Would I have been able to praise God for losing my job had that happened to me? What about the mother who has lost a child or a spouse?
As many of you know, I am a Bible journaler. Last weekend we had a party about walking through trials. Things were going pretty well for me so doing those entries was easy. I believed with all my heart that God was there with me during trials. Today I find myself walking in a storm. Do I believe that God is walking with me? Of course, I believe it. I will admit that it is a little more difficult to praise God in the middle of this storm because I cannot see the good. I cannot see the purpose of God’s plan. Yesterday praise was easy while today it is hard.
Today my praise is a sacrifice. My faith in God is not wavering, but praise is more difficult. It hurts to lift praises to our God. However, I am trusting God and His sovereign plan. In these times, when I take the time to praise God, my outlook changes. God is worthy of my praise in every circumstance.
Trials are a part of life in a sinful world. James 1:1-4 tells us to expect trials. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” You will notice that the passage does not say “if” we encounter trials. They are going to come.
God was walked through every trial with me. He is walking beside me through this one as well. My heart is crying out in agony, but GOd is still near to me. This is the time when praise becomes a sacrifice. It is costing me something to give God his due. I want to curl up on the couch and hide under a blanket. I know that God is working this situation out for good even but I cannot see it yet. I may not see it this side of heaven, but I know it. Scripture promises it so I cling to that promise today.
We do not worship and praise God because of the things He does for us. We worship and praise God for who He is. According to www.gotquestions.org, “To praise God in those times requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of the will to lay our all on the altar before a God we don’t understand. When we bring a “sacrifice of praise,” we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and can be trusted (Psalm 135:2; Nahum 1:7). When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper (Malachi 3:13-17; Job 13:15).”
“The command in Hebrews 13:15 says that this sacrifice is to be offered “continually.” Our praise of God is not to be based on our opinion of His job performance. Praise cannot be treated as a “reward” we give God for His obvious blessings. Isaiah 29:13 says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Real praise continues regardless of circumstances. It flows continually from a worshiping heart in good times and bad (Acts 16:23-25).”
If you would like to read the entire article: https://www.gotquestions.org/sacrifice-of-praise.html
Like in Nahum 1:7, I am taking my refuge in Him , “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” I can trust God’s goodness even when I cannot see it. Will you trust God’s goodness even when you cannot see it?
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