(NEW: You can now listen to today’s MY Devotional on Leading The Way’s daily devotional podcast!)

During a mid-week prayer meeting, an elderly man prayed, “Lord, we will praise You with our two eyes, by looking only to You. We will exalt You with our two ears by listening only to Your voice. We will praise You with our two hands by working in Your service. We will honor You with our own feet by walking in the way of Your statutes. We will magnify You with our tongues by bearing testimony to Your lovingkindness. We will worship You with our hearts by loving only You. We thank You for Your faithfulness that never wavers or ceases to be a blessing to us.”

Praise always exalts God. And if we take time to think about it, praise should be a full-time job. However, there may be times when you wonder, “How can I praise God for sorrow and disappointment?” One way we do this is by setting our minds and hearts on God’s grace and mercy. Even in times of deep sorrow and frustration, God remains faithful. He has a plan for our lives, and He will accomplish it.

David was the anointed king of Israel, yet for years he was forced to live life on the run from King Saul. From a human perspective, it seemed David had very little, if anything, to praise God for. However, he did just that. He wrote a wonderful testimony of praise to God:

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3)

When you lift your voice to God with words of praise, you declare His goodness and faithfulness to an unbelieving world. Therefore, praise the Lord with all your heart!

Prayer: Lord, I want a heart of unending praise because You are worthy. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit in me is always praising You; help me tune my heart to His voice. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name” (Psalm 18:49).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series God’s Provision for Your Every Need: LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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