In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef encourages us to exercise praise as a path to hope.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series The Biblical Cure for Depression: LISTEN NOW
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] the Way. Be Strong and Take Heart by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:12] Though we are confident that God has the power to deliver us from any situation or circumstance
[00:00:19] in life, we often lose hope as we try to figure out solutions to our problems. The fact remains
[00:00:26] that despite our most determined efforts to make life work harmoniously for us, we need
[00:00:32] God. When there is no hope in our lives, we become despondent. We wonder how we are ever
[00:00:39] going to make it. Despite all our knowledge of what God can do, we opt to wallow in pity
[00:00:46] and despair. When this becomes our response, we are like many characters in the Bible.
[00:00:51] David, who experienced the pit of despair on more than one occasion, commanded his soul
[00:00:58] to praise God even though he did not feel hopeful or encouraged. He wrote,
[00:01:03] Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will
[00:01:10] yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. David lived as though both praise and hope were synonymous.
[00:01:18] To him, hope was not possible without praising God. He wrote,
[00:01:23] As for me, I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more.
[00:01:28] When we praise God, hope will rise up within us. We realize that although our situation may
[00:01:35] look bleak, we are not without a Savior. What an encouraging feeling to know that someone
[00:01:41] is willing to rescue us, not only to save the day, but also to reverse our circumstances.
[00:01:48] As we open our mouths, may our words speak what we know is true in our hearts. God will hear our
[00:01:55] prayers and praise and one day fulfill His promise to restore all things. Let's pray together.
[00:02:03] Lord, reveal the power of praise in us today. Help us to experience the overwhelming hope that comes
[00:02:11] with praise. Thank you that those who hope in you are never put to shame. We pray this in the name of
[00:02:19] Jesus. Amen. If you enjoy listening to the My Devotional Podcast, would you consider partnering
[00:02:26] with us to proclaim the hope of Christ to a world in darkness by giving a year-end gift? This month,
[00:02:33] your gift will have double the impact through our December Gift Challenge. Leading the way is
[00:02:38] reaching the lost and equipping the saints 24-7 through television, radio, online outreaches,
[00:02:45] discipleship resources, evangelistic events, field teams, and more. Dr. Youssef's biblically-based
[00:02:52] messages are broadcast in 28 languages to audiences across six continents, passionately proclaiming
[00:03:00] uncompromising truth worldwide. Join us by giving a gift at ltw.org today. My Devotional is a ministry
[00:03:10] of leading the way with Dr. Michael Youssef. To learn more, visit ltw.org today.