“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).

Being thankful in the good days of our lives is easy. When the bills are paid, the car is running well, the children are healthy, and our loved ones are fine, praise and thanksgiving are easy. The writer of Hebrews explains that because of what the Lord Jesus has done for us (Hebrews 13:12-13) and because of the joy of eternity ahead for the believer (Hebrews 13:14), our thanksgiving should be offered on the good days and even on the not-so-good days. An old preacher was robbed many years ago. I remember reading his story. He said, “I am so thankful. I’m thankful that all the robber took was my money. I am so thankful that he didn’t take my life and the rest of my important papers. Most of all, I am thankful that I was the one robbed and not the one robbing.” Sometimes our thanksgiving is a sacrifice. In the difficulties of life, be watching for ways to offer thanksgiving to our great God today.

For today: If life is going well, it will be easy to give thanks. If life is hard, our thanksgiving is a sacrificial fruit from our lips.