Make Your Words an Offering – The Presidential Prayer Team

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. – Hebrews 13:15

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, declaring to them that Jesus is “more than” any of the laws, regulations, traditions, practices, and beliefs they had grown up with. It is a confirmation to them that faith in Jesus is warranted because of His superiority overall, and of the once-for-all sacrifice He made on the cross. The writer assured the Jewish believers that they now had personal and direct access to God under the new covenant in Christ. Then, as declared in today’s verse, those new believers were reminded that, just as Jesus offered up Himself as a sacrifice for sin, they—and every believer—should offer up praise as a daily personal sacrifice of thanksgiving, a “volitional offering of their words,” as one commentary says.

In Psalm 50:23, God says, “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” Theologian Charles Spurgeon states, “Praise is the best sacrifice; true, hearty, gracious thanksgiving from a renewed mind. Not the lowing of bullocks bound to the altar, but the songs of redeemed men are the music which the ear of Jehovah delights in. Sacrifice your loving gratitude, and God is honoured thereby.”

In the days since the election, people, including many Christians, have taken down the yard signs that proclaimed their persuasive allegiance to one candidate or another. In contrast, how many of those who are followers of Christ use their voices to tell others of their love for and allegiance to Jesus? Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Spurgeon says, “Not alone in your secret chamber, which is pungent with the perfume of your communion with God, but yonder in the field and there in the street. In the hurry and noise of the Exchange, offer the sacrifice of praise to God. You cannot always be speaking His praise, but you can always be living His praise.” Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Be His continual witness today and pray for boldness for believers serving in government to praise the Lord, both in their words and in their actions.

Today’s Verse: 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.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 13:1-16

 Let brotherly love continue. ²Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

⁷Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. ¹⁰We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. ¹¹For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹²So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. ¹³Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. ¹⁴For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.