“Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.” [Hebrews 13:15 HCSB]
Sacrifice of praise. Praising God is one of the most uplifting and blessed of all experiences. Coming into the presence of God with praise on our lips, hands raised to honor God, hearts and minds focused on Him fills us full. So, when Scripture talks about it as a sacrifice it seems rather odd. We are told to offer to God the sacrifice of praise. When I consider that verse, I am drawn to those first two chapters in the book of Job.
In Chapter 1 Job loses just about everything he has, including his 12 children. As wave after wave of bad news assaults him, Job drops to the ground in grief. And there, shaken by all the bad news, it says that Job worshipped.
“Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.’ Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.” [vs 20-22 HCSB]
In Chapter 2 we are told of a second assault upon Job, this time on his health. Covered with boils, sitting in the ash heap, scraping his sores with broken pottery, he is as wretched a man as one can be. When his wife advises him to curse God and die, his response is amazing.
“’You speak as a foolish woman speaks,’ he told her. ‘Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?’ Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.” [vs 10 HCSB]
In the midst of overwhelming adversity, Job did not sin with his lips but instead praised God and worshipped. That is what is meant by a sacrifice of praise. It is praising when life hurts. It is blessing God rather than cursing.
It is responding to the grievous difficulties in life by acknowledging grief yet lifting our heads off the ground to praise and not charge God with wrong.
