Joy and Praise are Linked

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. (1 Chronicles 16:27)

Live It Out 

You can’t have joy without praise, and it’s impossible to praise God without feeling joy. It’s in the moments we take our eyes off of ourselves and place them on the Lord that we experience joy. It’s when I say, “O God, You are good even when life doesn’t feel so good.”

I offer my praise to God even when the darkest nights fall upon me. I take myself into the throne room of God and say, “Lord, I don’t understand this moment or what I’m facing, but I know You. You are faithful! I know You will see me through this.”

I find myself being filled up with joy as I choose to praise God regardless of how I feel about my current circumstances. Can you take a moment to praise God today? Stop whatever you are doing and place your eyes on Jesus. May He be the Author and Perfecter of your faith. May you experience joy today as you set your heart on praising God and the purpose He has for you through your current storm.

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2, AMP)

Pray It Through 

Dear Father God, I take my eyes off myself and my current circumstances today. I place my eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of my faith. I pray that I will run with endurance the race marked off for me and remember to praise You regardless of how I feel. May You receive all the glory, honor, and praise due Your name today as I surrender myself to Your purpose alone.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus,