Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

This is an interesting phrase. What does the Lord mean by “the calves of our lips”? This reminds me of David’s Psalm of repentance, where he demonstrates that rather than a physical sacrifice, the Lord desires a sacrifice of a broken, pure, contrite heart, and here, we see that He also desires the sacrifice of our lips – a spirit and words of praise to the Lord. If there’s one area of prayer in my prayer life I’d like to see improve, it’s the “calves of my lips”. We’re good at confessing (or so we should be). I think if we love the Lord, we’re good at being thankful before Him. Then there’s supplication. I don’t think most of us have a problem asking Him for things for us, or for others. But I think it’s the area of praise where many of us fall short. Might this slightly odd phrase stick with us, as we remember that the Lord desires the sacrifice of praise He so rightfully deserves from His people.