What the Sacrifice of Praise IS and what it ISN'T

 Hosea 14:2

 Bring your petitions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, "Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you the sacrifice of praise

Sometimes I just don't get it.  I miss the point entirely.  Then suddenly, out of nowhere comes revelation.  How about you?  Just think of how many things in our life we labor under due to misunderstanding, waiting  for the light of revelation to come.  Not just spiritual things.

 

I have a friend who labored for years trying to get his hair to behave.  Preparation after preparation.  Mouse, gel, tonic, rinse and on.  Then one day a hair stylist suggested combing the opposite direction.  Well, in his 40-some years he had combed south.  Now she went north and his hair-day went from bad to good.  Amazing . . .

 

I asked a group once, "What do you think is meant by the term, 'sacrifice of praise.'"  The consensus of opinion was praising God even when we don't feel like it.  This is a significant statement.  And, it is a valid response, but I don't believe it is what was meant in the passage.

 

In Old Testament days, much animal blood was spilled.  Blood for sin - blood for sin, and on and on.  Much sin - much blood. 

 

Then came Jesus!  Blood for sin.  All the blood He had for all the sin we have.  An equity and more.  His blood for your, mine everybody's sin.  Past - Present - Future.  No more blood.  It's over.  It's done.  It's finished!

 

Aren't you glad!  No more dead animals!  God never liked that anyway.  David said if we want to please God we need to do it with a broken and humble heart and spirit.  Having these, our sacrifice is the killing of our agenda, our selfish plans, and total surrender to a loving God.  The sacrifice of praise.

 

Praise Him Now.  He is worth everything!