Redirecting Our Praise

Reading: Psalm 145:1-9

Devotional: As we begin this week, let's focus on redirecting our praise to God. In Psalm 145, David exalts God's greatness, compassion, and love with unbridled enthusiasm. Notice how David declares he will "exalt" and "praise" God's name forever and ever (v.1-2). This isn't casual acknowledgment—it's wholehearted devotion.

Our hearts are naturally wired for praise, but we often misdirect this powerful force toward human approval instead of divine recognition. We scroll through social media seeking likes, fish for compliments, and anxiously await others' validation. Yet David shows us a different way—praising God becomes his daily rhythm, his automatic response to life.

When we consistently praise God for His character rather than chasing human applause, something transformative happens. Our focus shifts from our performance to His perfection, from our inadequacies to His abundance. The psalmist reminds us that "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (v.8). This truth should anchor our hearts when we're tempted to seek worth from fickle human opinions.

Today, practice intentionally praising God for who He is. Each time you feel the urge to seek validation from others, pause and offer a word of praise to God instead. Let His unchanging character become the foundation of your security.

Reflection Question: What specific area of your life do you most seek human approval, and how can you redirect that desire toward praising God instead?

Action Step: Set three phone reminders throughout the day to pause and speak one sentence of praise to God about His character.

"Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in heaven we continue to sing." - Charles Spurgeon