Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: “ Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever”— and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the LORD.--Jeremiah 33:11
The sacrifice of praise....the sacrifice of our lips. Luke 6:45 says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. God is good all the time...His plans for us come from His heart of love for us. God works all things together for good to those who love Him and our praise for Him should be continually on our lips as we go through our day. He makes His goodness follow us and covers our missteps with mercy. Praise Him despite your own fleshly inclinations to complain. Purpose in your heart to praise Him especially during those times when it is the last thing that you want to do. Feelings are fickle. Walk with Him according to the promises in His word, not according to the state of your emotions. Praise Him despite the heartache and tragedy you are facing. Praise Him despite the fact that you are mopping the floor or doing the dishes for the umpteenth time. Do it as an act of faith. His grace will be there and the light of His countenance will be upon you.
How can we praise God and thank Him when we are in the midst of pain and suffering? The answer is all over His word...Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Truly, you could navigate your way page by page through His word singing His praise, but my focus last night was in 1 John Chapter 1. As I read the chapter I realized that I (ME!) have fellowship with the One in whom there is no darkness at all...only light forever. Me and you, finite humanity, can commune with an infinite God! In fact, I can go boldly to His throne of grace in my time of need to find help. Our God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent and He DESIRES fellowship with me! (you) Moreover, as we read through His word we find out that this fellowship is the very purpose for our existence and it is what makes our joy full!
Sometimes my life is sad and full of grief and I feel isolated, but that all fades when I remember that my God wants an intimate relationship with me. Through this relationship with Him and fellowship in Him with like-minded believers, I know that I am never alone. Such knowledge brings great joy to my heart! Our God, girls, promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Paul was able to be content no matter what situation or grief he encountered. Why? Because he understood with heart knowledge that the Lord was His Shepherd...He had everything He needed.
Raise your hands and praise the One who has been so faithful in the past, whom you know is working in the present and who will not turn aside but will complete the good work He started in you.
Love
Mom
