Sacrifical Praise

Nehemiah 12:43, “⁴³ And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.”

Psalm 51:15-18,

“¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

This morning I woke up thinking about sacrifice and praise. Sacrifice means to offer; I like the definition from Webster’s Dictionary: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim. Then if you look at the word praise you see this definition. The offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God. Do you see what is in the definition of praise? Offering.  What does it mean to sacrifice something? Offering. These two words are the same and when you give sacrificial praise you are placing before God a double portion of the best you have to offer Him. The men who came back from Panama stated the church started at 7:30 and went till 1:00 pm when the people have nothing else to give God they can and will give Him praise. To do this it requires as David instructed a broken spirit and a contrite heart before God and I assure you if you seek Him with that attitude He will fulfill His promises to you. Just as He did for David and Nehemiah in both cases they were restored and made new before Him and the world. That is what we should desire. Look for time to give God sacrificial praise today during your time of fasting would be a great time to focus wholly on God. Have a blessed day and allow God to be God through you today.