Finding Your Praise Again

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;     his love endures forever.”
(Psalm 118:1)

Have you ever lost your glasses only to discover they were sitting on your head the whole time? They were closer than you thought. Sometimes our praise to God feels the same way. We may not remember exactly when it started to fade, but stress, transition, or discouragement can make praise feel distant and hard to reach. Yet Psalm 118 calls us back to the very place where our praise once lived—and, surprisingly, it’s not far away.

I’ve learned that praise is almost always found right next door to thanksgiving. You can’t truly praise God without giving Him thanks. And this isn’t about wishful thinking or forcing a positive attitude. Our praise rests on something solid and dependable: the unchanging goodness of God. No matter what is happening around us, even in a broken world, God remains merciful, faithful, and steadfast toward us.

There’s a line in Psalm 118 that has anchored me many times: “His love endures forever.” The next time you feel alone, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry, I encourage you to speak those words out loud. Something shifts in our hearts when we begin to thank and praise God. Just as smiling can lift your mood, choosing to praise opens your heart to gratitude and to the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit. It’s often in those simple moments that we rediscover God as our Helper and our Refuge, the One in whom our souls feel safe and at home.

Psalm 118 also reassures us that even when we feel surrounded by pressures or challenges, God is actively at work on our behalf. “All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I cut them down.” He gives us strength for the battles we face and builds our lives on a firm foundation. And the more we walk with Him, the more we realize that He is not only God—He is my God. Just as there are many people in the world, but my family belongs uniquely to me, there is a special belonging we experience with God. He knows our names. He walks with us. And because of that personal relationship, we can declare with confidence, “You are my God, and I will exalt You.” Why? Because He is good, and His love truly does endure forever.

Bold Step Challenge:
This week, speak out loud three things you are thankful for every morning. Let thanksgiving lead you back to praise, and invite the filling of the Holy Spirit into your day.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for Your goodness and for your love that never runs out. Restore my praise and fill me again with the joy of Your presence. Help me walk in gratitude, even when life feels heavy, and teach me to declare Your truth over my life. You are my God, and I exalt You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Finding Your Praise Again

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Ministry Update from Mark

Before you go, I want to share some exciting news—today we released Episode 1 of our brand-new podcast, Quiet Revival: Gen Z Men and the Return to Faith. Beneath the noise of our culture, God is stirring a surprising movement among young men who are rediscovering purpose, identity, and spiritual strength in Christ. This podcast tells that story through honest conversations with leaders, thinkers, and next-generation voices who are witnessing this revival firsthand.

Episode 1 is available now, with new episodes releasing every Monday for the next seven weeks. 

I hope you’ll tune in—and share it with someone who needs fresh hope today.