Praise offered up

A sacrifice expresses belief. A sacrifice gives up something, believing that it’s worth any “loss” for whatever is gained. 

When we give up dessert or carbs to follow a diet, that loss is a sacrifice to gain better health (You know I love you, Dark Chocolate). When we give up money or time for someone else’s sake, that loss is a sacrifice for the sake of a greater purpose than self. But have you ever thought of praise as a sacrifice that gives up something less worthy than what is gained?

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.” Hebrews 13:15

The author of Hebrews explains that praise expresses belief that Jesus is the better and only way of salvation, leaving my efforts in the dust and all my self-promotion utterly worthless.  Praise declares that He is more worthy than me.

But this affects more than just my salvation. Jesus being more worthy, means I lay my personal expectations for life and stipulations for praise on the altar where they’re consumed by the belief that He Himself is better than what I might want: the comfort, goal, dream, preference, calling, system, person, accolades, plan, house, children, job, or image that I chase after. Praise opens its hands on demands and declares that He is better than His gifts. He is worthy of worship whether He gives those gifts or not.

The sacrifice of praise calls Him Untarnished when I’m broken. He is better than healing.

The sacrifice of praise calls Him Precious when I feel otherwise. He is better than feelings.

The sacrifice of praise calls Him Good when life hasn’t been. He is better than life.

What stipulations for praise have hindered it from growing in your life?