Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.
When we think of praise and worship we don’t generally think of sacrifice. Yet today’s verse calls it just that – a sacrifice of praise. But what exactly does that mean? And how does one continually offer it?
If you think about it, you know there are times when you are not in the right mindset to praise Him with everything in you. You have to choose to worship. You have to put forth effort to set aside yourself and focus on Him through praise. It doesn’t matter how hard circumstances might be. We choose to praise Him at all times, not just during the good. And that is why it is called a sacrifice.
It is a choice we make over and over again. It doesn’t just happen once. It is a lifestyle for us, a lifestyle of praise and devotion. It transcends time and place. By continually making the choice to praise Him in the good and the bad, we show that He is our priority. We focus on giving Him the devotion within us, honoring Him through whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. And it becomes a habit. It becomes our natural response to anything going on in our lives.
In the Old Testament the Israelites were required to offer sacrifices for various reasons. The Law outlined when they needed sacrifices as well as what to offer. But Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and there is nothing more we can do to add to it (Galatians 3:10-14). Therefore, our sacrifices are made out of gratitude and worship, not obligation.
Let’s take time today to let the fruit of our lips offer up sacrifices of praise. And let those praises be continuous.
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