Scripture:
Hebrews 13:13-16 NKJV
[13] Therefore, let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. [14] For here, we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. [15] 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. [16] But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased.
Observation:
Hebrews is one of those letters that can be a little difficult to understand in some ways. But this morning, I believe it’s where I’m supposed to be. The first verse we look at here in chapter 13 is verse 13, which ultimately talks about what Jesus suffered during the crucifixion, being brought outside the city, and suffering reproach. It encourages those who believe in HIM to identify with HIS suffering and be willing to face hardships and persecution. I wanted to get a better understanding of what the word persecution means, so I looked it up. Its meaning is not far off from what you might think. It means to mistreat or punish someone because of or especially due to their beliefs. So the first verse we look at today encourages believers to go through it and not shift or change the way they believe just because they are suffering. As the scripture continues in verse 14, we are reminded that this world is not our home. This is all temporary for us. We are sojourners. I’m going to be honest, the phrase “a sacrifice of praise” is what caught my attention this morning. The commentary I’m using says that this verse emphasizes the importance of offering praise to GOD through Jesus, and I’m not disputing what it says. However, that verse hit me just a little differently than that as I read it this morning. The word “sacrifice” hit me like it was something hard to do. Like when you make a sacrifice, it costs you something, sometimes something you seemingly can’t afford. Something hard to give up. We know that part of the meaning of this word is to kill and offer up an animal to GOD. But it also means to surrender something to HIM, and in the context, I believe that’s what is being said. We are to surrender our praise to GOD when it’s hard. Our 4th and final verse for today is verse 16, which encourages believers to care for the needs of others, being generous with what they have. It’s something that pleases GOD, and honestly, when Jesus responded to the question of which is the greatest commandment. HE broke it down to something that was easy to understand. Love GOD above all else and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Application:
As you can probably tell by the title this morning. The key verse is verse 15. Offering up praise when it’s hard. I don’t know if you know it or not, but life is not guaranteed to be easy just because you believe in Jesus. That may be the impression you get from some preachers… but it’s just not true. We are going to face hard times. We are going to go through it. In those times is when your character is tested. What are you going to do? Now, if you’re anything like me, it may take you a minute to remember that Christ suffered, and if HE suffered, we are probably going to do the same at times. The question is, do you look out or do you look up? I can put verse after verse in this place that say we are to look up. James is always the first one that comes to mind, you know the one… count it all joy. Well, I don’t know about you, but that’s just not my first thought when I’m getting hit in the face with life. Praising GOD when you are suffering is hard. But it all comes back to your perspective. Acts chapter 5, verse 41 is a great example of the perspective to have. The apostles were rejoicing in the fact that they were found worthy to endure the beating and ridicule they faced for the name of Jesus. In a sense, they praised Jesus for it. Now that’s a sacrifice of praise. They surrendered everything to GOD. Even their bodies to be beaten. Most of the people I know think that suffering is not getting what they want, and their sacrifice of praise is saying ” well, it must not be GOD’s will.” It’s not always going to be easy. There is coming a time when you will not only not get what you want, but you will get what you don’t want. What are you going to do then? Are you going to praise HIM in your suffering? Or are you going to turn and run? The bible calls it the narrow road for a reason. Looking to GOD in all times and praising HIM no matter what. Sacrificing everything for HIM. Where does HE stand in your life? Is HE truly on the throne of your heart? Or is HE there as some Genie in a bottle to give you what you want? Life gets hard, but GOD is always good even when it does. HE is seeking those who worship HIM in spirit and in truth, in good times and in bad. There is never a bad time to look up and say… GOD, you are good, even when it doesn’t feel like it, you are good, even when I’m suffering, you are good, in fact, you are good no matter what I go through. Simply because you are GOD.
Prayer:
Father, we know that life is not always going to be easy. Strokes will come and storms will go, but that doesn’t change who you are. We trust that you know exactly what we need, and we praise you for it. We praise you in the good times because you are good, and we praise you in the hard times because you are good. We thank you for trusting us to do what you have called us to do, no matter what that is. Because you are good all the time, no matter what it looks like. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.