BY: Sir Godfrey Gregg

Day Fourteen: The Sacrifice of Praise

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

Reflection:

The phrase “sacrifice of praise” is rich with meaning. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were costly. They involved the death of an animal, the shedding of blood, the offering of something valuable. Sacrifice was not casual or convenient; it was deliberate, intentional, and expensive.

When we offer a “sacrifice of praise,” we are offering something costly. We are giving to God what is precious—our words, our time, our attention, our hearts. We are offering praise that requires something of us.

But the writer of Hebrews specifies what this sacrifice is: “the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” It is not the blood of animals but the words of our mouths. It is not grain or oil but the confession of our faith.

This kind of praise is a sacrifice when it costs us something. When circumstances are favourable, and our hearts are full, praise flows easily. It is no sacrifice at all. But when circumstances are difficult, and our hearts are heavy, praise becomes costly. It requires us to push past our feelings, to speak truth we cannot feel, to offer worship we do not naturally want to give.

This is the sacrifice of praise—praise offered in the dark, worship in the storm, thanksgiving in the valley. It is the most precious offering we can give because it costs us the most.

Notice that this sacrifice is to be offered “continually.” Not just on good days. Not just when we feel like it. Continually. In every season, in every circumstance, in every moment. Our lips are to be continually acknowledging His name.

This is possible because we offer praise “through him”—through Jesus Christ. He is the mediator, the high priest, the one who makes our offerings acceptable to God. When we praise through Him, our imperfect worship is perfected. Our weak words are strengthened. Our faltering faith is made firm.

What would it look like for you to offer the sacrifice of praise today? What would you need to push past—what feelings, what circumstances, what resistance—to speak words of worship? Whatever it is, offer it anyway. Let your lips acknowledge His name. Let praise rise from your heart, even if it costs you something.

Journal: What would it look like to offer a sacrifice of praise in your current circumstances? What makes praise costly for you right now?

Practice: Offer praise to God today even if—especially if—you do not feel like it. Let your words of worship be a sacrifice that costs you something.

Prayer: Lord, I offer You the sacrifice of praise. It costs me something to praise You in this season. My heart is heavy, my circumstances are hard, my faith is weak. But I choose to worship. I choose to give thanks. I choose to acknowledge Your name. Accept my offering, imperfect as it is, through Jesus Christ. Amen.