The Sacrifice of Praise

GracetoYou.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"Offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5).

Praise consists of reciting God’s attributes and mighty works.

"Praise the Lord" is a common expression today. Some see it as a catchy slogan, others commercialize it, still others reduce it to nothing more than "P.T.L." But despite such attempts to trivialize it, praising the Lord remains the believer's expression of love and gratitude to a God who has been abundantly gracious to him. That was the cry of David's heart when he said, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Ps. 34:1-3). That will be the song of believers for time and eternity!

God desires and deserves your praise. That's why Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through [Christ] . . . let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." But what is praise? Is it merely saying "praise the Lord" over and over again, or is there more to it?

Two aspects of praise are obvious in Scripture. First is reciting God's attributes. That was the typical means of praise in the Old Testament. For example, Psalm 104 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Thyself with light as with a cloak" (vv. 1-2).

The second aspect of praise is reciting God's works. Psalm 107:21-22 says, "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing."

Praise involves reciting God's attributes from a heart of love, giving Him honor and reverence for who He is. It also involves reciting what He has done on behalf of His people. Your praise should follow the same pattern so it will be an acceptable spiritual sacrifice to your loving God.

Suggestions for Prayer

Read Psalm 103 as a prayer of praise to God.

For Further Study

Scripture mentions other spiritual sacrifices that believers should offer. Read Romans 15:16, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:10-18, Hebrews 13:16, and Revelation 8:3, noting what those sacrifices are.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[dp0622]

I was too stubborn, foolhardy and proud to praise God.

Had a very good job, a bunch of money a bunch of friends and no problem finding girls.

I made a good life for myself, not God.

I made my life what it was.

Turns out it was a life built on sand and full of falsehiods and pretensions.

It crumbled when I was 37.

I won’t go into detail but not praising God was a big mistake and I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’m 52 now and life is pretty good.

Only because God is very patient and very forgiving.

Praise God. I do.

[scottiemom]

The key word for the child of God who is focused on praising the Creator is “sacrifice”. To me, the overwhelming pain and and confusion at the tragic loss of my son, Ben, brought me into the deepest, truest level of praise. The praise brought me to a place of peace that simply cannot be explained. A perfect peace. When we are so intent on having the reason for the death of a child, the peace somehow escapes us. Only when we have resolved the “why me” and replaced it with “why NOT me” will comfort fill our hearts and minds. We serve a mighty God.

[metmom]

I’m sorry for your loss.

It took me a while to learn how praise could be a sacrifice, but I’ve been there myself.

It’s not easy.

[MarDav]

Your expression of faith has touched my heart this morning. To be able to learn of Christ’s love through the pain of loss...what is more God-honoring than that (it imitates what the Father experienced as He turned His back on His Own Dear Son as He suffered for our sins.).
There is a couple at our church who suffered the loss of their son to cancer (the boy was 8 at the time). They are two of the more joyous spirits in our gathering. One day the father mentioned their loss during a message he gave. Afterward, I went up to him and told him how I envied him and his wife in a way as, through their suffering they had been given opportunity to experience God’ grace in a way I could only imagine. Likewise, you too, have been granted to know God’s love in a very special way. This fellow believer’s prayer is that you, and all who have suffered in like manner will continue, through faith, to know the peace of God which passes all understanding.