The Sacrifice of Praise

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

Worship is not about what we get out of it, but rather the focus should be on how much it pleases God. I wonder if that is why this verse refers to praise as sacrifice. The very word implies a cost. In old testament days, a valued animal without defect was sacrificed before the Lord, not because the people wanted to get something out of Him, but rather because they knew they were sinful and unworthy of His favor. Likewise, focusing on cool music or experiencing the high that happens when people sing together (notice I said SING because I am not certain the activity always equates with worship) is likely not very pleasing to God. Perhaps it is just lukewarm and lack luster. Most certainly, it lacks the power that SHOULD rain down upon those who worship for no other reason than that they just love God. Most importantly, it emanates from a grateful, though sometimes confused or broken heart, but one which is filled to overflowing with love for the Father thanks to Jesus. 

Here is what DOES please God:

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24