The Sacrifice of Praise

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Ps 50: 23, ESV)

“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.” (Ps 50:23, TAB)

What is a sacrifice but that which costs us something? So how can praise and thanksgiving be sacrifices? By offering them to God when it hurts us to do so–i.e. when we wouldn’t normally praise or thank God for a thing. The Apostle Paul tells us in two places the will of God regarding thanksgiving:

Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1Thess. 5:18)

And then when giving instructions on how we should live Paul says . . . “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20)
[emphasis added]

Notice the prepositions. How in the world can we give thanks in and for all things when those things are harmful, oppressing, devastating? We can because of God’s promise in Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [again, emphasis added]

Is this easy? Do I even have to ask? It’s easy to give praise and thanksgiving for the blessings, the obviously good things in our lives. But just imagine the glory and pleasure it gives our Holy and Triune God when we trust Him enough to know He will bring good out of even the hurtful experiences of our lives–in the end. We may not see it today, or tomorrow, but God is either trustworthy, His Word is either true, or not.

Beside the Armor of God (Ephesians 6), consider praise and thanksgiving a truly powerful spiritual weapon. Where is God enthroned? God is enthroned, He inhabits, the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Want to invite the Holy One of Israel into your situation? Praise. Thank Him.

Imagine the Enemy agents attacking, dragging you down, and instead of crying out in fear and worry, we say Thank You God for this opportunity for You to show Yourself mighty on my behalf! Thank You God for this opportunity to grow in faith and trust in You. Thank You God for the opportunity to share the love of Christ in another person’s life–someone You want to draw to Your kingdom as You desire no man should perish (even when they are hurtful to us). Imagine the enemy agents going “huh?” and scattering.

Is this easy? Ha. That’s why it’s called a sacrifice.

Selah