Ministry Resources

Day 42: Worthy of Praise

Author: Robert Hayes

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 33:1-11

Central Thought: God alone is worthy of praise

‘Saddam Statue Toppled In Central Baghdad”

So shouted the headline of the April 9, 2003, CNN.com article declaring to the world that the monument erected just a year previous to commemorate the 65th birthday of the Iraqi dictator had been destroyed.

The nearly-25-foot-tall statue was a constant reminder to the Iraqi population that Saddam Hussein was in control of their lives. The statue had been an object of pride to those who followed Hussein. To others, it was a symbol of oppression as revealed by the joy of the crowd as the small group of men climbed the statue and symbolically put a rope around the dictator’s neck.

Hussein was confident that he was in control in Iraq. He ruled the military, parceled out the wealth, and intimidated his foes. The statue he constructed was a declaration that he was in charge of the situation; but how suddenly he learned otherwise!

Psalm 33 reminds us that only God is in control. We can fall into the trap of believing that we are in control of our destinies, but a simple act of nature or downturn in the economy or in our health will quickly demonstrate how helpless we truly are.

Pride and arrogance have no place in a Christian’s life. Avoid the tumble that will ultimately come to all who are proud. Recognize God as the only one worthy of praise. Follow the advice of the Psalmist and ‘stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8).

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help me to stay humble before You.

Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 32:1-33:23Matthew 26:69-27:14Psalm 33:1-11Proverbs 8:33-36

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