A Sacrifice of Praise

Sacrifice is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "destruction of surrender of something for the sake of something else."  There are times in my life when I don't feel like worshipping God.  There are times that I am angry at Him because of what I am having to endure.  There are times that I am frustrated with Him because I prayed and begged and pleaded to Him for something, and it didn't turn out the way I had hoped.  Then, I read a Scripture like Hebrews 13:15 (NIV), "Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. (emphasis added)"  It doesn't say to offer praise when I feel like it, or if I feel like it.  It says to continually offer a sacrifice of praise.  I guess we're going to have to unpack that and see what that looks like since it's not a suggestion.

There are times that I approach worship out of celebration.  I can't wait to worship God because of the things He has done for me.  There are times that I approach worship in awe and wonder.  I look forward to expanding my view of God because of how much I restrain Him in my life.  There are times that I approach worship with a longing to experiencing God's presence as I lift praises to Him.  I want to feel Him standing with me and wrapping His arms around me. There are times that I approach worship out of desperation.  I am in dire need of God to show up and give me the strength I need to endure through my current circumstances.

Over the last few months, I have found myself approaching worship in the last way that I mentioned quite a bit.  It reminded me of the old (upbeat I might add) praise hymn "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise."  What exactly is a sacrifice of praise?  Let's start with the obvious.  It means we need to worship God even when we don't feel like it.  God deserves praise regardless of our situation.  God's character has never changed and never will.  I cannot allow the circumstances of my life to define my idea of who God is.  He is much bigger than I ever allow Him to be.  Therefore, although my circumstances overwhelm me, He is still good, He is still faithful, He is still gracious, and He is still love.

I heard an interview of a worship leader that I enjoy listening to, and she explained sacrificial worship like this (I have summarized it):

God paid the ultimate price to get rid of the space between me and Him.  He went as far as He could go to get rid of the space between me and Him.  So, whenever, I feel like there is space between us, it is because of something I must have done.  I gave someone or something else that space, and it's my job to get rid of it.  In worship, it's a constant choice to remove that space and ask God to come and fill it again.

Worship is not about getting something back...it's about taking the attention off of us and our circumstances and giving the focus to the One who deserves it.  It's like a reset button for our emotions, our thoughts, and our ideas.  In the Old Testament, there had to be a death, a sacrifice for atonement.  In the New Testament, we see Jesus as our sacrifice and atonement.  However, Jesus reminded us that we are to die daily and take up our cross to follow Him.  Therefore, a sacrifice is still required on my behalf...it is a death to my will, my way, my desires, my ideas, my perspective, my emotions, and every other part of my life so that I can take up my cross and follow God.  There is always pain involved with sacrifice because something else, another piece of me, is dying.  So, when I hear the verse from Hebrews, I am reminded that this is my sacrifice of praise.  When I approach worship from this perspective, it allows me to refocus on God's character and be reminded of who He is.  Although I am going the difficult times and circumstances, I want to know, and I want people to know, that my circumstances do not define God.  In fact, as God gives me endurance and grace to journey through them, I can shout from the rooftops that God is still faithful and true.  My sacrifice of praise, recently, has led me to this song from Jesus Culture.  I share these lyrics to encourage you to regain focus even during trying times.


"Rooftops" by Jesus Culture

Verse 1
Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truth
Knowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this place
Because of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I give
So I stand before You, God
I life my voice cause You set me free

Chorus 1
So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

Verse 2
All the good You've done for me, I lift up my hands for all to see
You're the only One who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth
So I kneel before You, God
I lift my hands cause You set me free

Chorus 2
So I shout our Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours
All that I am, I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours

Bridge
Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God