“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:15-16

Ken and I worship in a small church. The Pomeroy family, including the youngest, Veronica, usually sits a few rows in front of us. Veronica likes to wear pretty hats over her blonde hair. She also coughs a lot. I used to think she was plagued by frequent colds. I later learned she has cystic fibrosis, a severe lung disease which clogs her breathing passages with phlegm. I sometimes watch Veronica during worship service. Especially when we sing hymns. She gasps in between the lines and I wonder what God must be thinking as he receives her praise. Actually, I already know. “With such sacrifices God is pleased.” More than pleased, God’s greatness is magnified when Veronica determines to wheeze her way through a hymn — her gutsy praise demonstrates how special she thinks God is. What’s more, with her limited lung capacity, Veronica inspires me to fill my chest and harmonize with all my heart. Praise is then multiplied!

As we grit our teeth to offer praise for who he is, we are living out Psalm 141:2, “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” A sacrifice of praise demonstrates the enormously high value we attach to him. God is pleased with the praise you give him, but he swells with joy when the praise he breathes has the aroma of a sweet smelling sacrifice. Today, pick an attribute out of your pain and proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12-13).

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I praise you, Lord, for being so faithful, so consistent, so merciful and compassionate to me, even through — especially through — the hurt.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends