A sacrifice of praise

I was considering this morning “a sacrifice of praise” and it’s meaning.  I as referencing 

Hebrews 13:15-16 (NASB)   

¹⁵ Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that [b]give thanks to His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

I am once again amazed that the offering up of praise to God is through Him.  How many times in my Christian walk I took the notion that my praise was offered to God and it was mine and mine alone to give.  How short sighted of me!  This short passage is saying that this notion is not the case at all.  

What I hear it is saying here is that praise that flows through us isn’t just passed by a ‘God filter’ in our minds that makes it ‘God centered’, no it is much more than that.

We in our flesh do not even have the capacity to praise or worship Him in a pleasing fashion. If it were possible to worship God in the flesh then God would owe a HUGE apology to Cain.  (see: Gen 4:4-5)  

Worship is a revelation of the Glory of Gods’ person in and through us.  It might be better said that it is God expressing (or revealing) Himself through our devotion to him.  (note: Our devotion to Him is even a gift from God)  God does take pleasure in revealing Himself through His attributes through us.

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

…But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  There is some argument online about the integrity of scripture regarding this verse.  Different interpretations render it…”Yet, you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”  Either way we are still left with the understanding concerning this scripture that Christ is enthroned as Lord in our lives, and that He is Holy (set apart) from our flesh or our ways.

I think this passage says it best:

Acts 17:24-28 (NASB )

²⁴ The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; ²⁵ nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; ²⁶ and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

How wonderful to know that God Himself chooses to express Himself through us through worship and praise.  I for one am still in amazement for such an undeserving gift.

With my hands lifted up

And my mouth filled with praise

With a heart of thanksgiving

I will bless Thee, O Lord

I will bless Thee, O Lord

I will bless Thee, O Lord

With a heart of thanksgiving

I will bless Thee, O Lord