“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
~Hebrews 13:15
The phrase “sacrifice of praise” has always stood out to me, because for a long time I didn’t understand why praise would be referred to as being a sacrifice.
While the context of this verse shows us that we no longer have to bring animal and other sacrifices to God as a result of the new covenant, and now we instead only need bring Him a sacrifice of praise, I think there is actually even more to that word “sacrifice” than just that correlation (as key as that truth is!).
I don’t know about you, but, for me, sometimes it does feel like a sacrifice to praise God.
When I’m not feeling well, when we’ve received bad news, when my husband is deployed, when I feel overwhelmed by motherhood, when I’m not getting what I want when I want it, it does require a sacrifice on my part to praise God. My flesh wants to be angry and frustrated. But my spirit knows it is right to give thanks in all things.
Our circumstances may not always be what we wish they were. But God is always worthy to be praised, just by nature of who He is, let alone what He does for us in providing salvation.
It’s sometimes a sacrifice to be sure, but it’s well worth it, friends.
Reflection Questions:
1) What are you going through right now that makes it really feel like a sacrifice to praise God?
2) What truth about God's character do you need to be reminded of and meditate on?
3) How can you help others to be inspired to make a "sacrifice of praise"?
4) How does making a "sacrifice of praise" actually serve us well and lift our spirits in the end?
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