August 30 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

There are two kinds of sacrifices—offerings for sin and offerings of praise. The sacrifices for sin were offered throughout the Old Testament period. But Jesus Christ was the last sacrifice. He died for sin, once for all. No sacrifice for sin will be kindled again in all eternity.

Sacrifices of praise were also frequently offered in the Old Testament period. But we really learned to praise our God only after he had done his mighty works in Jesus Christ. Now the offerings of praise will rise to him forever and ever.

"Through Jesus ... let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise." The offering of praise is acceptable to God only through Jesus. In the Old Testament there were many do's and don'ts in connection with the service of offering. The new covenant also has rules. The basic and all-inclusive rule is that offerings of praise must be offered to God through Jesus.

The praise comes from the lips of those who know Christ. They use their mouths to praise God. Many congregations love to sing "O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise." But some people aren't even using the one tongue God gave them to sing his praises.

We must not praise God only with our lips. "Not for the lip of praise alone, or even the praising heart / I ask but for a life made up of praise in every part." Again, if you are asking for a life made up of praise, you certainly want to offer praise with your lips.

"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God." The service of praise must go on all the time. It must be uninterrupted. After all, the offering of praise is a fruit of what God himself has planted. Generously God has sown; richly God shall reap. God's praise shall never end.

Since Christ has given the last sacrifice for sin, he has given us the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the flame that kindles the sacrifice of praise.

REFLECTIONS

Reflect on the many things Jesus has done for you, especially as shown in our study of Hebrews. Then "offer a sacrifice of praise to God."

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.