For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9
“We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.” The little praise and worship chorus that begins with those words was born in the mind of composer and lyricist Kirk Dearman after a study of the final chapter of Hebrews. In verse 15 of chapter 13, he found these words, “Therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually” (KJV). The chapter begins, “Let brotherly love continue,” and is followed by a series of admonitions on living a Christ-filled life.
Knowing that Jesus sacrificed everything so that people might come to the Father through Him, Dearman began searching out the sacrifices that God expects to come back to Him. David said, in Psalm 51:16-17, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering; for the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
The prophet Jeremiah declares, “Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever’—and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord” (Jeremiah 33:11, KJV). The psalmist exhorts, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!” (Psalm 100:4).
Pastor, writer, and teacher Robert Hampshire says a sacrifice of praise is first of all Christ-centered. While this is on the “altar of our hearts,” it is also to be expressed verbally, “we present the ‘fruit of our lips’ to God.” He adds, “Our sacrifice of praise is normative… we are to ‘continually offer up’ our praise. …It should be part of us, commonplace for us.” It is not to be reserved for weekend church services. Hampshire concludes by saying, “Our sacrifice of praise is biblically obedient… it is about a lifestyle of worship that is pleasing to God.” The prophet Samuel stated, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Though you might not compose a worship song for congregations to sing, when you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might, the Holy Spirit empowers you to offer up praise continually. It is the power of the love and sacrifice of Jesus that enables you to rise above circumstances so that His praise shall continually be in your mouth (Psalm 34:1).
Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
