Sacrifice of Praise.
The
following is in the form of a soliloquy between me
and the Lord Jesus.
“Lord,
I’ve just been reading the scriptures, as if I needed to tell You that. I
usually have the confidence of Your presence throughout the day, but especially
so when reading Your word. Did You make those words jump out and ‘bite me’ this
morning?and the Lord Jesus.
What
was written certainly has some teeth when it grabbed hold of my mind. ‘Through
Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the
fruit of lips that confess His Name.’ (Hebrews 13:15)
To sacrifice means it is costing something, right?’ Well, that’s the teeth that sank into my mind. I’ve enjoyed giving you praise in the church scene, especially when things have gone my way. Those wonderful times when You’ve provided our needs, answered our prayers gave rise to thanksgiving. BUT! Have I ever let my lips offer a sacrifice of praise? This is rather embarrassing and humbling. I’m beginning to feel as though I’ve merely offered You the left overs of my emotional and spiritual highs. Those ‘teeth’ are really starting to chew my soul.
What
could I possibly offer up to You that is costing me something. Surely this must
go beyond the monetary, though that
would be included. Lord, what praise can I render unto You that would be deemed
as an expression of acceptable sacrifice? Well, here goes. If some were to read
this they’d think it flippant. I’m not intending to be. It’s an effort to say
some of these things Lord, but then I suppose that’s what makes things a
sacrifice.
I
praise Your name for those people who are like thorns in my hide, stones in my
shoes. It’s difficult, impossible, to love them but You call me to do just
that, with Your strength.
My
lips form the words of praise that in my aging You walk with me. It isn’t much
fun losing keenness of sight and swiftness of hands and feet. Still, even with
my arthritis worship and service are open to me. Computers do make things a
bite easier also for keeping in contact when what fingers write is really a
scrawl. I’m finding it a good way to share my faith also, wisely I trust.
Being
a writer I think you are challenging me to praise your name for that rejection
slip too. Now that is hard. I’ve spent a lot of time on that manuscript. It
seemed topical and relevant, at least to me so I’m feeling a trifle, no hugely,
deflated. Worse, there was no reason given. I’ve read where things work out for
the best so I’m hoping my reviewing it gets that tick.
Unanswered
prayers are a bit of a battle which I have to overcome. To honestly praise You
for Your silence is costing me emotionally at the moment. Help me to trust Your
wisdom and leading in this. My heart needs to release my lips to praise You for
the promise about hearing my prayers. I guess the test of my sacrifice of
praise is dependent upon believing You know best.
Help!
I need help as I approach this altar of praise.
Amen!"http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au
Writer of 31 Day themed devotionals.
Amen. Ray, we can all pray that prayer of praise. Thanks for sharing your soliloquy with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the challenging post., Ray, which inspires us to consider our actions and attitudes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray. It's true, and hard to do. But good to do too. Praise and thanks to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you thoughts from 'listening in' to my soliloquy.
ReplyDelete