Sacrifice of Praise
Key verse: Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:10-16
The Lord has made all effort to draw man unto Himself and to make him enjoy heaven on earth from the fall of Adam. Unfortunately, the enemy has seared man’s heart so badly such that for many, the issue of their hearts is evil continually. Yet, the Lord loves man whom He made in His own image and likeness even though He detests the result of the issues of his heart which is sin and wickedness. At a time, a man came through the Jewish nation called Moses to whom God released commandments as a guide to mankind that if only we are able to follow those laws, then are we able to overcome the wickedness sown into our hearts. Moses must have considered how difficult it is for man to attain this ideal position and therefore suggested additional laws as further guide for fulfilling the Law of God. These additional guides included animal sacrifice in atoning for sin, which is the standard spiritually. Nonetheless, Moses’ prescription was opened to numerous abuse and therefore became more abominable before God. Imagine a man preparing a sin offering on the side while getting ready to commit a sin deliberately? That insults the psyche of God who sees the intents of the heart clearly.
God’s answer was to come in the flesh and be the sacrifice for the sin of man. And by that singular sacrifice, every believing man is given capacity to live above wickedness but in love and to approach the throne of grace without inhibition, thereby being restored to enjoying heaven on earth.
What then must we do for the One who made such great fete possible? He demands no further shedding of blood from us or animal sacrifice in any form. Rather, we are to come with our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving from time to time for our sin that has been washed away and for the new life of heaven on earthwe are afforded in Christ Jesus.
Dearly beloved, if you will constantly offer the sacrifice of praise unto your Redeemer, the result will be the continued renewal of your being present in His presence where there is fullness of joy and pleasures evermore. Practice it from today.
Action: Why not spend a minimumof one hour praising and worshipping God daily and see what difference it brings to your life. Shalom