Praise---A Choice

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill, for holy is the Lord our God.

Psalm 99:9

What is your favorite gadget, piece of jewelry or outfit? How would you feel if you had to give it away? Not many of us would find it comforting to give away the one object we cherished. It is hard to give things away. A sacrifice is offering something at great cost to ourselves. Hebrews 13:15 says, Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise. Praise and sacrifice seem to be opposite but spiritually are connected. Praise is fruit from our lips, a joyful sound. Praise doesn’t always cost us anything. It is easy to praise God when we feel generous, when he has helped us or protected us. This kind of praise is necessary and important but does not cost us anything. Basically, it is not a sacrifice.

What about when we think God didn’t come through for us the way we thought He would? What about when the mortgage loan is called in, the medical test results are devastating or God just seems far away? Our circumstances say we have been forgotten. It is during these times that praise requires personal sacrifice. We have to determine inside to lay it all on the alter, especially when we don’t understand. It is when we offer a “sacrifice of praise” that we truly believe that even though things seem impossible and life is not going the way we want it to that God is in control and He is worthy of our praise.

When we “choose” to praise, in spite of, the storms around us, God is honored. Real praise, faith growing praise, continues regardless of the circumstances. Choose Praise!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. 1 Chronicles 16:23-25