Brandon Lake - Gratitude DevotionalSample

Day Five: Praising in the Middle of Our Prisons and Promotions

Scriptures: Hebrews 13:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Acts 16:25-40

As seasons change, God remains. His goodness never fails. He is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). While every song must end and every season eventually comes to a close, God will never leave us nor forsake us. So, thank Him for His faithfulness, even when life itself ebbs and flows.

As we look to God’s word, what better example of this than Paul? This hero of the faith wrote to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This guy’s life was a living testimony of his own advice. He was the epitome of “walking the walk,” rather than simply “talking the talk.” Even when he was thrown in prison with Silas, he prayed and sang hymns to God—and get this, their choice to praise the Lord amidst their difficult circumstances is the very thing that caused the jailer and his whole household to come to God (Acts 16:25-40). Praise changes lives—and not just our own.

While it may be easier to praise God in the middle of our promotions, people are truly taken aback when we praise Him from within our prisons. But He is worthy regardless, because He is unchanging, and He’s with us no matter what. So, praise Him as you kick off each new year with hopeful resolutions and routines. Praise Him as the months plug along and you face prisons as well as promotions. Praise Him as you reflect on the past and prepare for the future. His power and His character never change, and for that, He deserves all the praise.

1. Are you going through a storm right now, and if so, what would it look like for you to praise God during this trying time?

2. Perhaps you’re in a period of promotion, or perhaps a season of stagnancy. What would it look like to turn your prayers into praise…every single day?

3. Who has God placed in your life to be watching you as you weather a storm, receive a promotion, or navigate a desert season? How can you impact them through your response?