Hope and Praise

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

In the Old Testament, Israelite men were required to go up to Jerusalem three times each year to worship God at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:14-19). Why? Because it was a way of keeping hope alive, of keeping their relationship with God fresh and current. They would offer sacrifices, worship, and take renewed inspiration back to their families and clans.

Under the New Covenant, we no longer offer animal sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem. Instead, we offer a different kind of sacrifice— “the sacrifice of praise to God.” And not just three times a year but many times each day. The sacrifice of praise is to be “the fruit of our lips” continually. And how does praise and worship keep hope alive for us? By “giving thanks to His name.” As we thank God for His blessings of provision and protection in our life, we never lose sight of Him as our hope in all things.

What can you thank God for on this day? Make the sacrifice of praise a continual practice in your life as you remember that God is your hope in all things.

The measure of our spirituality is the amount of praise and of thanksgiving in our prayer.
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones