Lesson 29
Sacrifice of Praise
by
Ruth Mahoney Swaim
Much has been taught and written about praise and worship in the last 40 years, especially as it relates to music.
But I have found very little teaching on the sacrificial aspect of praise. As I have explored the scripture and, indeed, looked back on the experiences of my own life, I have begun to see the benefits and miraculous aspect of the sacrifice of praise.
In Psalm 9:21 David says I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most high.
David, in this instance, was not praising God for what He had done, but for who He is. He says something revolutionary. I will rejoice in THEE. He doesn't talk of His wondrous works or His wondrous benefits. He simply says, to paraphrase: Lord, I will take joy in thee and thee alone.
There are distinct differences between praising God and offering the 'sacrifice of praise.' For those Christians who are spirit filled, praise comes easily and is a joyful exercise with a spontaneous flow. Usually our praise involves thanksgiving and we minister to God in thanks for all the blessings and benefits He has brought into our lives.
The 'sacrifice of praise' is somewhat different. It is not offered because everything is going nicely or 'swimmingly' on our behalf. Sacrifice of praise is something we offer to God when we do not feel like praising Him and, in fact, see no reason in our circumstance for praise. Everything seems to be going wrong. Our world seems to be falling apart.
Psalm 134:1-3: Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion (the church).
Blessing God in the night times of your soul has great honor with God. Why? Because you are standing in faith, in the midst of darkness all around you and it is faith in God that pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
When do you offer the sacrifice of praise? Psalm 34:1: I will praise the Lord at ALL times. His praise will continually be in my mouth.
By praising God ahead of the answer or before you see victory in your circumstance, you open a channel through which He can intervene in your situation.
Your praise defeats and brings to naught the best laid plans of the enemy.
II Chronicles 20:21, 22: And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who would sing unto the Lord and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying 'Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever.' Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord send ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir, who had come against Judah (Judah means praise) and they were defeated.
The moment you begin to praise God, in your circumstances, He releases His power to start working on your behalf.
What is the sacrifice of praise?
When you are willing to walk away from or relinquish (surrender) something you desperately want and love because you love God more - that is a sacrifice of praise.
Hebrews 13:15: By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,that is,the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
In these circumstances we are praising God not because of our circumstance, but despite it.
Our praise is not rising because we feel good and want to express it. We are praising in faith and in obedience, praising Him for who He is, not for what He has done.
This kind of praise does not come easily. This kind of praise is not cheap. It is costly.
This kind of praise brings special delight to the Fathers heart and He listens very intently and tenderly to your sacrifice of praise.
This is not fair weather praise. This is not praise which costs nothing. This is costly praise. Praise that has become gold, forged in the furnace of affliction.
It is especially a sacrifice in those times when the heavens seem as brass and God seems to be a million miles away. Your prayers do not seem to be heard, much less answered.
Sickness
Deprivation
Death
Betrayal
This is when you 'praise Him anyhow.'
This is praise that costs you something. This is when you declare 'though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.'
He is the same yesterday, today and forever and I will yet praise Him in the land of the living. Praise Him!
Example: The children of Israel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, in the midst of the fire in the furnace (Daniel 3). They were in what you would certainly call a 'trial by fire.'
The king, Nebuchadnezzar, was 'full of fury' the scripture says. Because these three children of Israel would not worship the false image, the king was angry. He then not only commanded that they be cast into this fire, but that it be heated seven times hotter than usual.
This brings me to an aside. Have you been, or are you in a situation where the enemy has increased his ire and anger toward you and it seems this furnace is heating up and getting worse and worse?
Even during this confrontation, the children of Israel refused to recant or betray their God. So they were indeed bound and thrown into this blasting furnace. They were not delivered out of it. They were required to go through it.
The scripture says that the king then observed four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they were not hurt and the form of the fourth was like the Son of God.
Please note that even in the midst of this trial they were walking around. They did not fall. They did not recoil. They did not give up. They kept walking. And God was with them!
The scripture also tells us that after seeing this miracle the ungodly king blessed their God. But please note that the three young men blessed their God BEFORE they saw the miracle. This is a sacrifice of praise.
Another example is Paul and Silas in prison at midnight, the darkest hour (Acts 16). When everything seemed darkest and discouragement could take hold they began to sing praise to God. Then the walls of the prison began to shake and the chains were loosened.
When you are surrounded by a hopeless circumstance and no evidence of relief is near and you raise your hands and head in praise to God, this is a sacrifice of praise.
This sweet aroma of incense rises up before God and He hears, sees and loves your praise. Why? Because you are saying to him: 'No matter what this looks like, I trust you. I don't understand it, but I trust you. God, you always keep your word and I trust you. I will not put my trust in this circumstance, in this situation, in this trouble. I will put my trust in you.
Be assured He is at work. You may feel the start of extra heat coming your way, as the children of Israel did.
You may experience the shaking before you see God move on your behalf as Paul and Silas did.
Keep praising Him. Keep trusting Him. No sacrifice of praise goes up to Him unheeded. There is great reward in the sacrifice of Praise. Every time a sacrifice of praise is offered Jesus Christ is glorified.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my very present help in time of need. Even though I cannot see the end from the beginning, You do. I will praise you and trust you in this situation. You and you alone are my hope and therefore I will hope in you. Thank you that you are always with me even though I cannot presently see you. I will praise you. I now offer you this sacrifice of praise. Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name.
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