I am sure just about everyone remembers singing
this old song; "We bring a sacrifice of praise unto the
House of the LORD". You are probably like me; you have
sung it at least a hundred times or more! Just the thought of
everyone smiling, clapping, and singing along paints a pretty
picture doesn't it? If you are anything at all like me, you
just sang along, never giving a lot of thought to what you
were singing. Hmm, is my praise a sacrifice? Is it even praise?
The Word of God tells us in, Genesis 8:21 how God desired
the sweet aroma that came from the fat of the sacrificial
offerings. God was so pleased with the sweet aroma rising
from Noah's sacrifices that He promised to never again curse
the ground for man's sake or to destroy the earth again by
flood. ("Then Noah built un altar to the LORD and,
taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he
sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the
pleasing aroma and said in his heart: 'Never again will I
curse the ground because of man."').
In every reference to sacrifice in the Old Testament, you
will find how they were " a pleasing aroma unto God".
In Ephesians, 5:2 we see that Christ loved us so much that He
gave "Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet smelling aroma". Oh my! What does my praise
smell like to God? Is it a sweet aroma to God? Or does it leave
something to be desired?
The Old Testament priesthood had to offer up animal
sacrifices, but we, the royal priesthood, are to offer sacrifices
of praise. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of
praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15). Praise takes effort, a
real determined effort. That is why praise is called a sacrifice.
There are times when perhaps we do not feel like praising the
LORD, but the LORD wants us to praise Him - yea, sacrifice
praise unto His worthy Name. To praise the LORD requires will
power and boldness. For some reason the natural man rebels
against praising the LORD. However, as you begin to sacrifice
praise and thanksgiving unto Him, the sweet presence of the LORD
will flood your soul. Then it will roll out spontaneously. Glory
to His name!
When the children of Israel went to the temple for worship,
they never came empty handed. They always brought something,
and it was with great sacrifice because it was their very best.
They brought offerings to a mighty God, and they came with
praise on their lips! It cost them to worship God. Out of their
love and reverence of God, they were worshiping by sacrificing
what was dear and costly to them. When nothing is troubling us
and we are in perfect health, praising God is not a sacrifice.
When things go wrong and year world seems like it is coming apart
at the seams, then praising God becomes a sacrifice. When you're
sick or someone you love is dying from cancer, and you lift up
holy hands in praise to a holy God, that my friend is truly a
sacrifice of praise.
I remember Pastor Rocky sharing an encounter he had while
serving with Mercy Ships. He recalled; "I became very ill
while at sea. We encountered very rough seas and the smell of
diesel with the heat made me very nauseous. I vomited many
times. I could not ask to be relieved because we were short
handed. I just wanted to die, I was so sick. I cried out to
God. He answered by saying; 'Praise Me'. I responded like
David with a dance and song, right there in that engine room.
God visited me with His tangible presence and 'I was sick no
more".
Just like in the Old Testament when the glory of God would
consume the acceptable sacrifice while the glory cloud filled
the Holy of Holies, you can rest assured that the presence of
God will fill every fiber of your being. God gave His best as
a sacrifice for us; we also should give our best by becoming
a living sacrifice. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God's mercy, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice holy acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act
of worship" Rom 12:1.
Tommy Deshazo
