Praise can be a costly thing.

This is something I have been pondering.  True praise is an admission that whatever He chooses…is good.  It involves a letting go of our own will and desires.  It is declaring that He is good even if circumstances would try to convince me otherwise.

When Job fell to the ground and worshiped God…it was painful.  Yet, that is what we are called to do…praise Him even in the midst of pain.  We are to praise Him for who He is even if we do not understand His ways.

Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. – Hebrews 13:15-16  HCSB

Read those words.  Twice, God refers to a sacrifice of praise. When we honor Him with our lips in the midst of trials, it is good.  He is pleased, not with our pain, but with our painful praise.