A sacrifice of Praise
A Sacrifice of Praise
Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations as a lament, or sad funeral song describing his account of the destruction of Jerusalem, as a direct result of their constant disobedience and refusal to repent, seek God’s face and serve Him only. Because God is a just and righteous God He has to judge injustice and sin, otherwise He would not be acting justly towards the righteous. Jeremiah knew this but he had hope beyond the tragedy that comes from avoidable wrath. In spite of it all he hoped for the future and was able to declare one of my favourite Scripture:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3 v 22 – 23
He could, in the midst of sadness, meet the dawn of each new day with a song of praise in his spirit and soul, knowing that God was watching over him and the remnant of His people. His breath in our lungs is part of His grace towards us. In a season where ‘everything is being shaken so that which cannot be shaken will remain’ (Hebrews 12 v 27), God makes the same promise to us from one generation to another, as He had to Jeremiah:
“For I know the plans I have for you.” Declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hop and a future.” Jeremiah 29 v 11
God’s steadfast, unending love is echoed down the corridors of time in the words of John the apostle:
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul also prospers.” 3 John 1 v 2
God’s steadfast, unfailing loves means we know, we trust and we look to Him to be our source, our resource and our provision. Note John did not just pray for himself. He, like Job (Job 42 v 10), prayed for his friends also. Proverbs tells us:
“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family.”
Proverbs 27 v 10
Regardless of generational differences we must reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ by daily remembering to pray for the welling of our families, other families and our friends.
My prayer partners and I often reflect and give God thanks for the older generation of Christians who prayed for us as we were growing up naturally and spiritually. We are thankful that they mentored our lives and encouraged us. Let us especially remember to pray for them, as we pray for the hand of God to touch the lives of this current generation.
Our Father God’s steadfast love and mercies should encourage us to take our eyes off our circumstances and keep them fixed on Him. That does not mean we do not acknowledge when difficult times come, but we bring them into alignment with God’s Word. Choose to put God first. Everything lines up behind God and the Word of God. Let Him be first in your life.
‘We are more than conquerors’ (Romans 8 v 37), but we cannot conquer what we do not acknowledge, but we conquer through putting our trust in the God of our Salvation. The greatest example of effective conquering is in the life of King David who said:
“I wait quietly before God for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62 v 1 – 2
He never took a step or made a move without asking God first. He confidently trusted God to answer in His perfect timing:
“The Lord says “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32 v 8
Each day he trusted God and that enriched him with the strength to believe that God would both vindicate him before unjust people and make his righteousness stand out in a crowd.
The Psalms encourages us to:
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.”
Psalm 37 v 5 – 6
God was pleased with King David and called him a ‘man after His own heart’ (Acts 13 v 22) and we too can please our Father God when we choose to trust Him in and with everything pertaining to our lives. Trust God enough to give Him a sacrifice of praise knowing that He will help you walk through to victory in your circumstances.
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High.” Psalm 50 v 14
“But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me. If you keep to my paths, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” Psalm 50 v 3
When you choose to bring a sacrifice of praise, through embracing God’s promises to Jeremiah of His ‘steadfast, never-ending love and mercies’, your testimony will be like King David’s:
“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. Oh my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, Oh God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” Psalm 59 v 16 – 17
Amen xxx