Hebrews 13:15-25 | What's the lesson for me today?

15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.
-Hebrews 13:15

The importance of praise once again crosses my path. I find it interesting that Scripture refers to praise as a sacrifice. Indeed, in many ways we can see how difficult it can be to find praise to offer. I remember a seminar I sat in over a decade ago that has made a tremendous impact on me. The facilitator had a large whiteboard and posited the question, "What are some things we can praise God for?" We sat in an awkward silence before listing off a few general ideas. "Salvation... Family... Our Country... Our Churches... etc." He then drew a line down the center and posited another question. "What are some things we need to be praying for?" The room exploded with one things after another, volleying complaint about the state of our world and issues within families and how things need to change. After the room settled and he wrote out all the requests, he told us to look at the board and see the disparity between our praise and prayers. The thing that caught us all off guard is that this was a room full of pastors and teachers. These were the ones setting the bar and bringing this attitude in to the churches.
 
Many of us sat with mouths hung open and shoulders weighed low as we realized how difficult it was to turn to praise when we are so problem focused. We could go on and on about the issues of our lives and our world. It took us having to dig to come up with any praise. I realized for myself how seldom praise would come to my own mouth. Here I am, years later, and still it sits upon my mind. Praise is a powerful tool in the arsenal of the believer. It takes our eyes off of ourselves, off our circumstances, and places them where they ought to be - upon God. This Scripture today is serving as a reminder to meet with Him in praise.

What lesson are you taking for yourself today?