Joel Osteen Devotional April 16 2021 – Turn Up Your Praise

Psalm 40:2 3, NIV

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

In Genesis 37, God gave Joseph a dream that one day his family would bow down before him, but his brothers hatred toward him became so great that they threw him into a pit, intending to let him die there. But his brother Judah said, Let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites as a slave, which saved Joseph’s life. It’s interesting that the name Judah means praise. God was showing us that praise protects the dream. Praise rose up and changed the opposition’s mind; praise pushed backed the forces of darkness. The dreams that God put in you are not going to come to pass without opposition. The key is what you do when you’re in the pit. When you’re tempted to get sour and start complaining, all that’s going to do is keep you in the pit. You have to wake up Judah. When you’re in the pit, don’t complain turn up your praise and start thanking God that He’s turning things around. Praise brings you out of the pit.

Father, thank You that the pits I find myself in can never stop the dream You put in my heart. Thank You that I can turn up my praise and bless You that You’re turning things around. I believe that praise will bring me out of the pit. In Jesus Name, Amen.