Hebrews 13:15

PRAISE

‘By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.’

Hebrews 13:15

In order to be fit for heaven, we must find true happiness in loving and praising God.

I. One great thing—the greatest far—for which we ought to praise Him is the pardon of our numberless sins. Till a man has learnt that secret, religion will always be formal; it will be a mystery, very little real delight and enjoyment will it produce.

II. Besides this, however, there are many ways of stirring up our hearts to God’s praise, and thus of adding to our own happiness.

(a) There is the habit of noticing His mercies. Not one day passes without our all receiving many blessings at His Hand. How do we act? Are we louder to complain at our few trials than to thank Him for our many enjoyments?

(b) Or, think again of what He is in Himself. Think of what you admire in a man—sense and judgment, kindness and liberality. We often praise a fellow-creature for good and noble qualities. Shall we grudge acts and words of praise to the Perfection of goodness itself?

(c) Or, again, His providence. Were He for one moment to let the world go, and leave it and its inhabitants to themselves, all would instantly be ruin and destruction.

(d) Or, His special mercies—such as the harvest—by which He gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth for ever.

(e) And besides these there are particular mercies—in our own families—which a grateful and thoughtful heart will delight to reckon.

Any or all of these should serve as fuel to the heavenly fire. Thinking over such blessings and mercies before we come to Church would attune our hearts and prepare us to join with heart and voice in the service of praise and thanksgiving, and thus make our worship brighter and happier to ourselves, and more acceptable to Him Who says, ‘Whoso offereth Me thanks and praise, he honoureth me.’

—Rev. J. Tournay Parsons.