We are told in Hebrews 13:15 to offer a sacrifice of praise. That’s a powerful idea, but it seems almost contradictory. What’s praise got to do with sacrifice? Why did the author of Hebrews put this in here? What are the practical concepts on how we can apply this truth to our everyday lives? Before we can answer those questions, we first need to examine how Chapter 13 begins. 

The author encourages these Hebrew Christians, who were being persecuted and tempted to look backward, to worship God in a new way through Jesus: to be hospitable to strangers, remember the prisoners, honor and protect their marriages, and keep themselves free from the love of money. They should remember those who’ve had an impact on their lives, and not be carried away by strange doctrines. Also reminding them that the animal sacrifices have been replaced by Christ, who has sanctified us through His shed blood, and they are to look forward to heaven, “The city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:14b).

Hebrews 13:15-16 addresses our need to pay attention to what pleases God in worship. He says, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” 

The sacrifice of praise is to be a part of our everyday lives of worship, not just when life is going well, but continually, with the caveat of doing so with thanksgiving. I confess there are times I really don’t feel like praising God, especially during trials and storms of life. I’m too focused on the trial itself. I’m trying to solve it. Let’s face it, some storms in our lives can overwhelm us with fear, anxiety, hurt, and frustration. We drive ourselves to exhaustion trying to fix it. Why on earth would I want to praise God during times of grief, health problems, physical pain, or relationship pain? What about when our plans are thrown off or we are dealing with the pain of being hurt by someone else? 

The answers are found in the timeless truths of God's word. Isaiah 57:19, “Creating the praise of the lips. Peace to him who is far and to him who is near. Says the Lord, 'and I will heal him.'”

Here are a couple of parallel passages that are helpful:

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.”  Psalm 50:14

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me. And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of the Lord.” Psalm 50:23

As believers, we are to encourage one another with our lips, that is, with our words. A verbal worship of God can be a sacrifice of praise, especially if we are the ones struggling. Perhaps we could share a verse that we are clinging to, which has brought us great comfort. Regardless of our circumstances, we may have the opportunity to point others to the glory and praise of our God. A sacrifice of praise can be costly. It doesn’t come naturally or easily. It means we have to purposefully choose to look to God and tear our attention away from our circumstances. It is often needed to redirect our focus onto the glory and majesty of God.

Last winter, I was taking out the garbage and noticed a woman in an oversized hooded parka. She was standing in the middle of the street. She silently beckoned me over. She directed me to look down the street and said, “Look at that, isn’t it magnificent?”  Her mouth was agape with awe. I was puzzled; I couldn’t see what she was seeing. She said, “Look at that sunset.” I looked again and stood in awe as well. I told her, “Thanks, that reminds me to look at the Son of God and be amazed. She said, “ Exactly!” Because of her lips of praise, I went back into the house with a lighter heart.  She couldn’t have known I was carrying a heavy load of trials. Her praise refocused my heart. 

Praising God and having a thankful and grateful heart can be contagious! Who can you encourage today with your lips of praise and thanksgiving?

“Yes, I pray that my pain might be removed, that it might cease; but more so, I pray for the strength to bear it, the grace to benefit from it, and the devotion to offer it up to God as a sacrifice of praise.”—Joni Eareckson Tada