Don't Let Them Rob Us

Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.

In spite of all the psalmist suffered, he did not allow his persecutors to rob him of the one thing that is of utmost importance in the life of a believer...praise. Hebrews 13:15 says, "By Him, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name." Note that the writer of Hebrews does not just say, "offer praise", but instead calls praise a sacrifice. As born again believers, we are a royal priesthood, and a priest offers up sacrifices on the altar. We not only offer ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices, but we offer up our praises as sacrifices. In other words, we offer God praise, not just when times are good, but we are to offer praise when life goes sideways and the bottom falls out. No matter what the circumstances, and no matter who persecutes us or betrays us, our God is still good; that never changes. Therefore, we are to offer the sacrifice of praise in the worst of times, as if it were the best of times. We may offer them up in tears, but we offer them nonetheless. We must never let our circumstances or trials rob us of the opportunity to praise God; and even more importantly we must not let others, their lies, and their wicked behavior, rob God of the praise He deserves and is due Him. When we truly worship God with our lives, it becomes a life that will continually offer both the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. This all may seem impossible, but note how the writer of Hebrews began that verse, "By Him". Our ability to praise God and give Him thanks does not come from our strength. No, it comes from the power we find, and have, in Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul put it best when he expressed that regardless of what state he was in, he could be content, because he could do all things through Christ who strengthened Him. (Philippians 4:11-13) So it is with the child of God, that in Jesus we can offer up the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, no matter what the Lord allows. So let us not allow others to rob us of the great joy of offering up praise to God, even seven times a day.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).