Hebrews 13:15 NIV – ‘Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.’
The word ‘sacrifice’ connotes a cost or involves forfeiting something valuable. Praise is an expression of gratitude and admiration.
What then is a sacrifice of praise? Let’s look at an example. In the old testament, Cain offered some fruits from his harvest as an offering to God. His younger brother, Abel, offered fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Only one offering involved a sacrifice; Abel took from the firstborn of his flock to give to God. This was a sacrifice because Abel gave up what was valuable to him to express his gratitude to the Lord. Sacrifices aren’t always easy.
The storyline goes on to reveal that Cain was a very jealous and angry person. God was not pleased with Cain’s physical offering because both his actions and offering did not revere God. God looked past the offering and into the heart of the brothers (1 Samuel 16:7). The sacrifice that pleases the Father is genuine praise and worship, born of reverence of His sovereignty.
We praise any person and thing that brings rewarding feelings. In the moment of expressing praise born from admiration and appreciation, we have happy feelings. However, when expectations are not met, we lose those happy feelings. Offering is a form of praise, worship and gratitude to God not dependent on our feelings or circumstances.
David, also known as the psalmist, demonstrated what it means to offer sacrificial praise in both the good and bad times in the book of Psalm. You may not feel like praising God for various reasons, but God is more pleased with your obedient sacrifice of praise and worship than an offering that comes along with a lifestyle of disobedience and unbelief, which is mockery towards Him. Because remember everything you do flows from your heart (Proverbs 4:23).
We should praise God with an understanding that His steadfast love endures forever. We should make a joyful noise and honor Him as “Our Father in heaven,” with psalms, hymns and adoration at all times.
Still having trouble understanding how to give God your sacrificial praise? Try reading Mark 12:41-44 and modeling yourself after the widow.
God is worthy to be praised. He is Jehovah, the I AM that I AM, the self-existent one, who possesses all AUTHORITY (Exodus 3:13-15).
PRAYER: Lord help me to always have a heart of gratitude towards You no matter how I feel in Jesus’ name, Amen.