Listen to this devotion
Exclusive Praise
In the Word
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8).
Of the Word
God commands His people to praise Him only. His covenant relationship with us, like the bond of matrimony, demands fidelity. He tolerates no rivals for our trust, reliance, worship, or affection. His Word makes it clear: “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).
God calls for exclusive praise not because He needs it, but because we need it. His clear command straightens our legs when the world bids us bow to the gods of science and technology. His law stiffens our backbone when our flesh tempts us to bend to the idols of wealth, status, and self-righteousness. Because of God’s gracious invitation to worship Him to the exclusion of all things, we’re saved from the folly of putting trust in earthly power, of rating our wisdom by secular standards, or of measuring our worth by material possessions.
Exclusive praise — it’s God’s will for us and God’s gift to us. Only as we kneel before Him, and Him alone, can we stand tall — and securely — in the world.
Walking with my Lord
Lord, let my praise and worship be
All for You — exclusively. In Your Holy name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 2/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
