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What is a Sacrifice of Praise?
Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (NASB).
Is it a sacrifice to offer praise? We’ll approach this question on a couple different levels. The first one is defining what it means to offer up a sacrifice of praise. In short, praise is the sacrifice which we offer to God, which includes thanksgiving. It does not mean we offer praise as a form of sacrifice, especially when our emotions are not in alignment.
In other words, this verse does not refer to praise feeling like a sacrifice in the moment, because our circumstances are difficult, and we don’t feel like praising Him. “I don’t feel like it, but I’ll do it anyway, bless God!” Ironically, when our souls are disquieted, and our flesh is fighting against, thanksgiving is the antidote to all the negativity. Gratitude beats grumpiness any time. Offer praise filled with thanksgiving, and your emotions will follow. Waiting on your emotions is a great way to stay stuck.
One of the things praises do is declare the greatness of God, and the great things He has done. Our testimony is a form of praise, and keeps us in touch with gratitude. Again, it’s hard to feel grumpy when you’re filled with gratitude.
Praise Connects us with Trust
Psalms 42:5-6 Why art thou cast down (in despair), O my soul? and why art thou disquieted (disturbed) in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
During trying times, we can feel consumed up by the circumstances surrounding us, and forget all the victories God has given us in the past. Our focus can be misdirected by the situation, especially if we have all of Job’s friends trying to encourage us. You know, the friends who try to encourage you with more negativity. Leaving you feeling worse than when they first arrived. That’s one reason it’s best to start with God, before talking with others.
Praise realigns our focus, and brings to remembrance His greatness, and all He has done, which includes specific instances when He came to our rescue. For instance, when you consider the vastness of the universe, and the fact He created it. Moreover, it cannot contain Him. That kind of dwarfs everything else; and yet, He cares for you. It puts things into proper perspective.
Psalms 8:4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Praise reminds us that we already have the victory in Him. We are not trying to gain the victory. He is not limited to the number of times He will rescue us, or come to our aid. “If He did it once, He’ll do it again.” We simply trust Him with the circumstances, which includes the methods we may not understand. Sometimes things appear to get worse, before they get better. Trust Him with the results. In His sovereignty, He still works around the way people respond, or react, which is another lesson in itself. Thanksgiving reminds us He will never leave, nor forsake us. We have His Word on that!
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave (desert) thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Praise Reveals the Posture of Your Heart
Praise, or the lack thereof, reveals the posture of your heart. An ungrateful human being is far less apt to praise God than the one with deep gratitude. If it is a sacrifice to praise Him, then it begs the question: what’s in your heart? This question is primarily aimed at those who seldom ever do; not those who might be experiencing hardship, and are off their game, so to speak.
Of course, those who are wounded, and angry need healing for their souls. They may very well wrestle with praise, and thanksgiving. For those who may be in this boat, know that it speeds up healing, brings peace and clarity. Anecdotally, I can name numerous times when praise brought me out of the pit of despair. Actually, He brought me out as I offered the sacrifice of praise.
Psalms 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the Health of my countenance, and my God.
