TEXT: HEB. 13:15

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name” – NIV.

May God continually put a reason for praise in your mouth, in Jesus’ name.

There are songs we still sing in church today because somebody met God in a way they could not keep quiet about.

Israel had just walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. Behind them, the same sea swallowed the Egyptians who had chased them. What did they do first? They sang.

“Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” — Exodus 15:11

Hannah did the same.

For years, she carried the pain of being called barren. Then God gave her Samuel. Her praise did not come from theory. It came from experience.

“There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2

Praise sounds different when you have seen God carry you.

And even when you are still waiting, praise still belongs to Him.

Why should we praise God?

Revelation gives us one of the clearest answers.

The twenty-four elders stand before God’s throne saying:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” — Revelation 4:11

Notice that word: worthy.

We praise God first because He is worthy—not because life is going exactly the way we planned.

We were created for His pleasure. That means life is not ultimately about getting God to follow our script. It is about learning to walk in His will.

That can be difficult to accept when prayers seem delayed.

When doors refuse to open.

When answers take longer than expected.

But God is not late. He is not ruled by our timetable. He is faithful, and He asks us to remain faithful too.

Praise is not a reward we give God when things go well.

It is part of the life we live because He is Lord.

The Psalmist puts it this way:

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” — Psalm 50:23

A life that honours God is a life where praise is not occasional. It becomes part of our everyday conversation.

Not only on Sunday.

Not only during Thanksgiving.

Every day.

David understood this

If anyone knew how to praise God through every season, it was David.

He wrote:

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” — Psalm 34:1

At all times.

Not some times.

Not convenient times.

David praised God while hiding in caves. He praised Him as king. He praised Him after victories, and he returned to God after failures.

David was not perfect.

But he never stopped returning his heart to God.

That is the kind of praise God is looking for—a heart that keeps coming back.

So make that decision today.

Not to praise God only when everything is beautiful.

But to let His praise remain in your mouth while you live.

How can we praise God?

Praise is more than one expression. Scripture shows us several ways God’s people worshipped Him.

1. Praise Him with instruments

Psalm 150 tells us to praise God with cymbals and every kind of instrument.

“Praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” — Psalm 150:5

Music has always been part of worship.

The sound of instruments is not entertainment when it is offered to God. It becomes an expression of honour.

When the church plays before the Lord, we are joining generations of believers who have worshipped Him with everything they could lift.

Let your instrument glorify God.

2. Praise Him with your voice

There is something about a loud praise.

Luke records that when Jesus approached Jerusalem,

“The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” — Luke 19:37

They were not trying to impress anyone.

They simply could not contain their joy.

Sometimes praise is quiet.

Sometimes it is tears.

Sometimes it is a shout.

Do not let fear of people’s opinions silence what God has done for you.

Those who know why they are praising rarely need permission to praise.

3. Praise Him with dancing

David danced before the Lord when the Ark returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 6 tells us he leaped and danced with all his might.

That moment cost him his dignity in the eyes of Michal, but David’s response was simple—he would rather honour God than protect his image.

There is a dance that says,

“Lord, I am not ashamed of You.”

Dance is not about performance.

It is surrender expressed with the body.

May your worship never become too sophisticated for joy.

4. Praise Him with singing

Hebrews reminds us of David’s words:

“I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” — Hebrews 2:12

Sing His name.

At home.

In church.

In your car.

While cooking.

While walking.

Let songs become reminders of God’s goodness.

Sometimes one worship song can preach to your own heart before anyone else hears it.

5. Praise Him with music

David told Michal,

“Therefore I will play music before the Lord.” — 2 Samuel 6:21

There is room in worship for melody.

For strings.

For keyboards.

For drums.

For every sound that points hearts back to God.

The goal has never been the music itself.

The goal is always the One receiving it.

A sacrifice of praise

Hebrews 13:15 calls it a sacrifice of praise.

That word matters.

A sacrifice costs something.

Anybody can praise when life feels easy.

But praise becomes a sacrifice when you worship with unanswered questions still sitting in your heart.

When grief is present.

When waiting is long.

When faith is being stretched.

That kind of praise says,

“God, I still trust You.”

And that is precious.

Praise is not pretending pain does not exist.

It is declaring that pain is not greater than God.

One more thing

The verse says we offer this praise through Jesus.

That means true worship begins with relationship.

Before God wants the song from your lips, He wants your heart.

Giving your life to Jesus is the first act of surrender.

It is saying,

“Lord, my life belongs to You. Lead me. Teach me. Be my Shepherd.”

If you have never made that decision, you can pray sincerely from your heart.

Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I confess that I have lived without You, and I need You. Forgive my sins. Wash me clean and make me Yours. I receive You as my Lord and Saviour. Help me to follow You and live for You from this day forward. Thank You for saving me. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer sincerely, welcome to the family of God. May the peace of Christ fill your heart and keep you in His love.

So today, before the day gets busy, let this be your confession:

I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

May praise never leave your lips.

Shalom.

Dr. Yinka Okude

Pastor-in-Charge

RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton