When you picture someone praising God, what image comes to mind? A fellow worshipper singing with uplifted hands during Sunday morning services? Your own personal worship enjoyed out in the beauty of God’s world? Maybe a friend’s smiling face as she gives glory to God for an answered prayer or unexpected blessing?
All these joyful images paint beautiful portraits of praise, but I can think of a sacrifice of praise that must be even more beautiful and precious to God. I’m thinking of praise voiced through pain.
What could be more precious to the Father than praise offered through tears of heartache and grief? What more meaningful sacrifice could there be?
When someone, from the very depths of pain and sorrow, lifts a tear-stained face heavenward and praises God even as they weep, what could touch the Father’s heart more? How could he feel more loved than when his child shows such complete trust in him? Than when she chooses to believe in his love and goodness even when it feels as if he’s forsaken or forgotten her. Now that’s a sacrifice of praise.
I’ve wept my praise most recently as my heart hurts for our daughter and son-in-law who are weathering an ongoing personal heartbreak. As we submit to God’s will in painful circumstances, I think of Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion and how he prayed “not my will, but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42b) Do you think he might have wept his praise in the Garden that night?
If you’re hurting, friend, I encourage you to offer praise to God through your tears. Don’t worry if your voice quavers and breaks, if your song of praise sounds weak. It will sound perfect to the Father. He will treasure your precious sacrifice of praise.
“. . . let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15
*When have you praised God through tears?
*Flickr photo by martinak15
I suppose some of the greatest praise I’ve offered to God have been those times of greatest surrender. Usually, my parenting/kids are attached to many of those prayers/praises. I am sorrowful for your continuing hurt in this one area. I am thinking about you all this morning, as I offer my own sacrifice of praise to Jesus.
Thank you, Elaine, for your thoughts and prayers. They are a real gift and encouragement. Appreciate you!
Through the loss of our three babies. A song that has always been very dear to me is Blessed be the name. When it gets to the chorus “He gives and takes away” I just cry as I praise my savior. Although I will never understand why my three babies are in heaven instead of my arms, he is still faithfull, he is still good and I will still worship him with all I have. Tears and all.
Julie, thanks so much for sharing. Love how you said you will still worship him, tears and all. How his heart must go out to us at times like that!
Beautiful post Cheryl. Difficult to do at times but sometimes the only thing you can do. I think my most common and on going sacrifice of praise has been distance from family.
Thank you, Debbie. So glad you enjoyed it. You’ve been living your particular sacrifice of praise a long time now. It’s got to be a hard one. I’m hoping one day you’ll at least get to have all your kids and grandkids live within a few hours drive from you guys. Love you!
Brings to mind 2 songs – “Praise You In The Storm” by Casting Crowns, and “Better Than A Hallelujah” by Amy Grant. Thanks for sharing – this is a difficult concept.
Jana, I thought of Praise You in the Storm as well, but I’m not sure I know the Amy Grant song. Thanks for mentioning them. Might spur someone to listen to them and be ministered to as a result.