ESOCS Devotional 8 March 2025 – Sacrifices That Please God
MEMORY VERSE: “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13: 16 NLT
TEXT: HEBREWS 13:13–25
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.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
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Sacrifices are acts of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy. Our worship is pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name” (NLT). That is why it’s called a sacrifice of praise. Yes, God can see our hearts. But God wants to hear it from our lips. It doesn’t matter whether we have any singing ability. Our worship pleases God.
Another thing that pleases God is giving to the work of His kingdom and to those in need. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God (Philippians 4:17–18). Our memory verse stresses more on the need “to do good and to share with those in need because they are the sacrifices that please God” which is an act of love (Hebrews 13:16 NLT).
It is a mind-blowing thought that our Creator would be pleased by our actions. Yet, Scripture encourages us to see that this is a reality. As Christians, we strive to live under the smile of our heavenly Father by obeying Him through our way of living so as to “please God … more and more” (I Thessalonians 4:1) through our generous giving, which is “a sacrifice pleasing to God.”
God created you for the purpose that you would live to glorify Him by enjoying Him forever. How do you do that? By living in a manner pleasing to Him. How do you do that? By coming with faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood, as the only way to be reconciled to the holy God. Having trusted in Christ, you please God by daily offering your life to Him as a sacrifice of praise and good deeds.
Jesus was and is God’s perfect sacrifice, and His sacrifice makes it possible for His people to bring their own sacrifice of praise, and to give themselves as living sacrifices to God. Receive His sacrifice and bring yours to God in faith.
Challenges:
- How can we truly praise God in the midst of severe trials? Apart from praises and giving, what other sacrifice can we offer that would be pleasing unto God?
PRAYER POINT
- Father, grant me the grace to be able to offer sacrifices that would be pleasing in thine sight, in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Joshua 11:16–end; 12:1–end; Hebrews 13:1– 12
ESOCS Devotional 8 March 2025
