Rooted in His Glory, Rising in His Praise

Like a wind chime responds to the breeze, our souls respond to God’s grace with praise.

Devotional Credit: Abide Above
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Today’s devotional from Miles Stanford lifts our gaze beyond ourselves and sets it squarely on the glory of God. At the heart of the Christian life is a vertical relationship with the Father, not a horizontal striving to meet our own needs. The call is not just to receive grace, but to respond in praise and rest in the One who gives all things for His glory. The challenge offered is simple yet piercing: are your arrows pointing upward in worship, or downward in self-concern?

J.B. Stoney's reflections shine a light on the true purpose of grace. He reminds us that grace is not primarily about us. It originates in God's heart, is expressed through Jesus, and returns to God in glory. When we fixate on our needs, we risk making grace about relief instead of relationship. When our attention turns upward, we discover that grace frees us to delight in the Giver rather than becoming dependent on the gifts.

The devotional also makes a vital distinction between being an object of grace and becoming a worshiper of the One who gives it. Until we rest in Jesus, we remain inwardly focused. But once we recognize that we are deeply loved and held, our hearts become free to center on Him. That shift, from receiving to rejoicing, marks the beginning of true devotion.

Finally, we are reminded that our perspective must align with the Father's. What matters most is not how we view our circumstances, but how they stand in relation to Him. When our hearts see through His lens, praise rises naturally, and we become rooted in worship, not weariness.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

My child, I have drawn you into a relationship of love, not a transaction of relief. You are not the end of My grace, but a vessel through which My glory flows. I have poured out My kindness on you through Jesus, not only to rescue you, but to reveal Myself in you.

You are not forgotten. You are filled. You are not an object merely to be comforted, but a child chosen to magnify My name. I have made you righteous in My Son. I have planted you in grace. You are seated with Him and secure in Me.

Rest in Me. When your heart finds its peace in My presence, you will no longer need to cling to blessings. You will cling to Me. Your joy will no longer be drawn from circumstances, but from knowing Me. This is where praise begins, and this is how your arrows point upward.

Let Me be your vision. Let Me be your center. When you see all things in relation to Me, you will rise in quiet joy. You will overflow with thanksgiving. You will find strength in devotion, because you know you are already Mine.

Scripture References: Philippians 1:11, Hebrews 13:15, Ephesians 3:21, Ephesians 2:6–7, Colossians 3:1–3, John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Romans 11:36, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 103:1–5

Real-Life Analogy

Picture a wind chime hanging outside on a still day. It remains silent, lifeless, almost invisible. But when a breeze stirs, its tones rise and fill the air. The chime doesn’t make music on its own. It responds. It does not demand wind. It simply receives and resonates.

You, too, were not made to generate your own spiritual motion. You were made to respond to the movement of the Spirit. Your soul was designed to echo praise, not through effort, but through rest. Let the wind of God's love stir you today.

If you find yourself distracted by needs or tangled in stress, pause and whisper, “Lord, I trust You to lift my heart into praise in this moment. You have filled me already, and now I yield to the joy of delighting in You.” Whether you're washing dishes or driving to work, let your soul resonate with the grace you’ve already received.

Prayer of Confidence

Father, thank You for reminding me that grace begins and ends with You. I praise You that my life is no longer centered on what I need, but on who You are. You are the Giver, and You are my joy. I do not have to earn Your favor or maintain my peace. You have already filled me with all that is in Jesus, and I rest in that.

Let me live today with an upward gaze. Let my words, my heart, my responses, all point to You. You are the source, and I rejoice in being Yours. I am no longer looking to be filled. I am trusting that I already am, and I thank You for the praise that rises in me because of it.

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The Kingdom Already Within