Together in Christ: 'Tuning Our Hearts' — Psalm 18:1-2

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

— Psalm 18:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

We are focusing this year-long devotional on relationships. Our central and most important one is our relationship with God. As today's verses remind us, God is the One who has established this relationship with us by His grace. He provided us the salvation, security, and sense of worth we need to build deeper relationships with others.

Worshiping God is essential for many reasons. Today, we want to focus on one: As we thank and praise God for all that He has done for us, we can then thank and affirm others around us, the people God has brought into our lives.

Praising and thanking God for His many gracious gifts tunes our hearts to see others, and the good in others, as His blessings to us. Our praise and thanksgiving awaken our sensibilities to what those around us need to hear from us. We realize that our words of affection, praise, thankfulness, affirmation, kindness, admiration, connection, and appreciation for God are vital to building meaningful relationships with others.

I pray that we will take time as we begin each day to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. [1] Once our hearts are warmed in the presence of God, then we can let our affection, praise, thankfulness, affirmation, kindness, admiration, connection, and appreciation overflow into the ways we speak to bless and honor each other!

[1] One way to begin each day with praise and thanksgiving to God is with the daily Passion for Praise devotional scripture offered by Heartlight. The devotional for today is here. Near the bottom of that web page, you can enter your email address to subscribe to receive the devotional scripture each day.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I love You. I appreciate the work of Your hands in Your creation, Your work of grace in Jesus, and Your steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness demonstrated to me in so many ways. Now, dear Father, I ask that You tune my heart to be more gracious, loving, and affirming in how I speak with and interact with others. Open my heart as I sing songs of praise to You. Expand my soul to love others as I read about Your greatness and grace in the Scriptures. May the Spirit fill my heart from being in Your presence. Have the richness of my love and appreciation for You overflow with Your grace into the people my life touches. I know as I grow closer to You, dear Father, my life will bless others more profoundly for their good. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 John 1:1-4
  • 1 Peter 2:9-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 18:1-2 NLT — I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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