Sacrifice as defined by Google's dictionary is "an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy" or "to give up something important or valued for the sake of other considerations".
So what does it mean to bring a "sacrifice of praise"? As in, Hebrews 13:15--Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
I don't get it.
During church this morning, our worship leader prayed about our "sacrifice of praise", and I stopped praying, opened my eyes and looked at him like that was the first time I had heard that phrase.
Obviously, I have heard the phrase before, but I think it hit me in a new way this morning. (See link to 1984 Christian song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grn4pGm2Hx0)
So often, we come to worship with certain expectations. We want to be apart of a church that has a really great band, progressive song choices, neat light shows...really modern, cool stuff, a great atmosphere. And if it's not that way, we have problems. They didn't play my favorite song. The guitar was a little off this morning. The tempo was not like the record. Or I just really wasn't feeling it this morning. I can think of many different complaints that I have either heard or had about worship.
This morning, when I heard that phrase, I really stopped to think about that. What does it mean to bring a sacrifice of praise? Is my worship a sacrifice of praise?
I. Don't. Think. So.
A sacrifice of praise isn't easy. Or it wouldn't be called a sacrifice. Sacrifice is to give up, to surrender for the sake of something more important or more worthy. It's not bringing praise when I feel like it, when life is easy, when everything is going my way. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite.
I think of Jonah and the greatest fishing story ever told.
The Lord gave him a specific command: "Get up and go to the great city of Ninevah. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are." But Jonah ran. He got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.
You know the story. He boards a boat, hoping to escape the Lord by sailing to another land. So, the Lord sends a powerful storm, the crew figures out it was because of Jonah, and they throw him overboard where a great fish swallows Jonah.
From inside the fish, Jonah prays (verse 9), "But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord."
Jonah was in a predicament. He was in a fish. The last thing I would FEEL like doing would be bringing a sacrifice of praise to the Lord. BUT..the truth of the matter was that 'salvation comes from the Lord.' The ONLY way he was getting out of this situation was the Lord's salvation.
I NEED THAT SALVATION.
So this morning, as I sat there listening to this prayer, my sacrifice of praise was to give up my selfish motives and desires, put aside my distractions and lay aside my agenda to make HIS name known, to bring glory to the name of the One who Saves, to allow Him to draw near to me in my need, in my predicaments, in my mess.
This became my prayer: Break down my pride, and all the walls I've built up inside. Our earthy crowns and all our desires, we lay at Your feet.
My heart sang a song With Everything by Hillsong.
So let hope rise, and darkness tremble in Your holy light, and every eye will see Jesus, our God, great and mighty to be praised. God of all days, glorious in all of Your ways. Your majesty, the wonder and grace, in the light of Your name.
With everything, with EVERYTHING, we will shout for your glory. With everything, with everything, we will shout forth your praise.
Our hearts will cry, be glorified. Be lifted high above all names. For You our King, with everything, we will shout forth your praise.
The bottom line is this: My sacrifice of praise looks differently after I examine the areas of my life that I need, desperately need, His salvation. But more importantly, it comes from a place of GRATEFUL praise.
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