February 20, 2025
"This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”
- Isaiah 43:21 (KJV)
God created us with a divine purpose, and that purpose is rooted in reflecting His glory and offering Him praise. The scripture reminds us that we are not here by accident but were intentionally "formed" by God to release His praise and emit His light into the world. So, how do we shine in alignment with this divine purpose? We release thanksgiving and praise!
When we praise God, we emit His light. As Jesus said, we are the light of the world, and praise is one of the ways we let that light shine. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we begin to praise, something supernatural occurs. Through our praise, we build a throne for Him, and He comes in with His light, multiplying the light we already shine. It becomes an exchange of glory – our praise invites His presence, and His presence transforms our lives and circumstances.
2 Chronicles 5:13 is a powerful illustration of how praise works corporately. When the singers and musicians united in one voice to glorify God, the Bible says the house was filled with His glory. This teaches us that praise not only affects our personal lives but also has the power to shift atmospheres and invite God’s tangible presence into any space.
I was born to shine!
Our daily lives are the perfect opportunity to reflect on all that God has done for us. We shine by doing good works and by thanking and praising Him for His faithfulness. But to praise Him authentically, it must start with thinking - truly considering all that God has done.
Are you successful all by yourself? Did you ever think you'd make it through some of the toughest moments? When others thought nothing good could come from your life, didn't God step in and shift the narrative?
Take a moment to remember His mercies. Reflect on how far He has brought you, how He has beautified your life, and how He has silenced your adversaries. It all begins with thinking, and thinking leads to thanksgiving.
This is the season to shine, to declare through your words and actions that you were born to glorify God. Start today by thinking of His goodness, thanking Him, and raising a Halleluyah. As you do, watch how His light fills your life and radiates through you, impacting those around you.
Let’s not hold back our praise - it’s our purpose, our power, and our light. Say it aloud: “I was born to shine!”
Song of Worship
Shine
Song by Matt Redman
Prayer - Lord, I thank You for forming me for Your glory. Help me to live in alignment with my purpose, releasing praise and shining Your light in all that I do. May my life always point others to You. Amen. In Jesus' name, Amen.