Sacrificial Praise

Genesis 44:33
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.

“When praises go up blessings come down.” We’ve heard that so many times in church along with the scripture, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Both are true. God is pleased with genuine appreciation from his children but there is something even greater than praise that gets God’s attention. It’s when praise becomes sacrificial.

Praising God is foundational to worship. It is preliminary. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” “I will bless the Lord at all times and his Praise shall continuously be in my mouth.” We are supposed to give God Praise, but in order to turn the corner on our breakthrough, praise has to grow up and surrender to servitude.

When Jacob’s sons were in a dilemma in Egypt it was Judah whose name means Praise that got them out. Judah or praise stepped up to the plate to rescue Benjamin. Their baby brother Benjamin was about to become a slave for allegedly stealing a cup belonging to the Egyptian Governor, Joseph. The brothers hadn’t recognized their own brother Joseph because he looked and sounded like an Egyptian. He had been separated from thirteen years since they sold him into slavery. Joseph planted the cup in his baby brother Benjamin’s sack to keep him there with himself out of love not hate. Joseph was not going to reveal himself to his brothers until Judah (Praise) did something.

1. Praise Pleaded for Mercy. Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we deserve because we have sense enough to open up our mouths to ask for mercy.

2. Praise told the story of how heartbroken their father was. We overcome by the words of our testimony. That’s why in worship you ought to praise him with the fruit of your lips because can’t nobody tell it like you can tell it.

3. Praise surrendered to servitude as a sacrifice. Judah offered to take his brothers place as a slave because it would send his father to the grave in sorrow.
Joseph broke! He couldn’t contain himself any longer and revealed himself to his brothers. He blessed them with provision, gave them the best of the land, and gave them new homes to stay in until the famine passed. He didn’t have to do this, especially after they had done him wrong. Why did this move Joseph? Because he had been a slave sold by his brothers, he had suffered for 13 years and now Judah had done for his baby brother what Joseph wished they had done for him. Then he realized what they did for my evil worked out for my good.

Whatever you are going through right now give him praise. If you really want to see breakthrough then let your praise lead to service.

Dear God,

Thank you for growing my praise up! It’s not enough for me to make some noise but I got to do something for you. I live my life as a living sacrifice. I give my life as a consistent example of godly living so other people can get their breakthrough through my sacrificial praise. I lift my voice in total praise to you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen