The Offering of Praise

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ³¹ This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves. ³² The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live."

Psalm 69:30-32

In the Law of Moses God made provisions for people who did not possess great wealth to offer sacrifices acceptable to the LORD.  After the period of 40 days passed after Mary gave birth to Jesus, Joseph and Mary went to the temple in Jerusalem and brought two turtle doves or pigeons for Mary's atonement and cleansing (Luke 2:22-24).  Leviticus 12:8 says these birds were acceptable if a lamb was too costly to afford.  God did not heap guilt upon those who could not afford a lamb, nor was it a gauge of spirituality and priorities.  By faith in Him through obedience God was well pleased.

If Joseph and Mary could not afford a lamb, it is evident an ox would be out of the question.  There were people who never had the money to have an ox of their own and thus never had the means to offer one as a sacrifice to the LORD.  David realised God did not value the sacrifices of people due to the monetary value of the offering, but received gladly the praises and thankful adoration of His people.  Giving a more expensive gift did not make a person more acceptable before God.  Instead of feeling guilty he could not afford to offer a lamb or an ox, the humble soul could rejoice in the acceptance of his praise and person by the holy, gracious God of Israel.

Luke 21:1-4 provides insight into God's economy as Jesus watched people in the Temple:  "And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ² and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. ³ So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴ for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."  Isn't this amazing?  The woman put very little monetary value into the treasury, yet was credited with giving more than anyone else.  She had little yet she gave, and she did so from a heart that relied upon God.  It is likely the rich men who put in much were honoured and revered by men for their sacrifice, yet God singled out the woman as giving the greatest gift.

It may be people would not be willing to part with a penny to hear you sing a song, but God is pleased when we praise and thank Him with our voices.  You need not be a Grammy winning artist or to have dulcet tones of a professionally trained singer to sing songs worthy to present a song before the KING OF KINGS.  God looks upon our hearts redeemed and saved by His grace, and accepts those who seek Him gladly.  Give thanks to the LORD, you His people, for He is pleased to be sought by you today.