My Christian brothers and sisters, we know that it’s easy to praise God when we feel his protection and generosity. We gladly sing of how good he is … because we think we see it … and it doesn’t cost us anything. In this, there is no ‘sacrifice’. But, it is times like this that it is especially important to remember and respond to the call of Hebrews 13:15 to continually offer to God "a sacrifice of praise." As Christians, we know that in the spiritual realm, sacrifice and praise are intertwined. The challenge is to offer God praise when we are afraid, hurting, sick, your spouse asks for a divorce, your wayward child brings trouble to your door, or your heart is troubled over pandemic. It is in these times that God seems distant and we feel forgotten. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Praising God at these inflection points is difficult, requires personal sacrifice, and an overriding act of that free will He gave us … to lay it on the altar before a God that we largely don’t understand. In so doing, it’s an affirmation that we choose to believe that He is still good and trustworthy. (Psalm 135:2; Nahum 1:7). The sacrifice of praise honors God and deepens our faith. (Malachi 3:13-17; Job 13:15).Our praise isn’t His reward. (Isaiah 29:13; Acts 16:23-25). It is born of a humility and is the manifestation of a spirit that chooses to honor God regardless of the circumstance. (Psalm 51:16-17). Join me in a "Hallelujah From Here Below" … not because it's easy … but because we trust in Him.
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