Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef
August 3, 2026
Put on the Garment of Praise
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
Read Isaiah 61:1-3.
At the start of His public ministry, Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read this prophecy from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor . . .” (61:1-2, see also Luke 4:14-30). He then declared it fulfilled, announcing Himself as Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy about our Savior goes on to promise that Jesus would bestow on us “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3).
There are a few things you need to know about this garment of praise. You are not born with it—it’s a gift that you have to put on. It will do you no good hanging in your closet; you must choose to wear it, to wrap yourself in it. You see, true praise is like a river that flows out of your heart, and it’s fed by your gratitude to God.
God has given us innumerable reasons to praise Him and even the desire to praise Him. Still, we have to participate in praise. We have to choose the praise-filled life. You have to choose to put on the garment of praise every day, rejecting the spirit of despair.
When Jesus read Isaiah 61, He was telling us that in Him, we can exchange our garment of sadness for His garment of gladness. In Christ, you can replace your garment of despair with His garment of praise. You can throw away your garment of sorrow and cloak yourself with His healing, power, and forgiveness. It is only when we praise the name of Jesus that the cloud of discouragement evaporates.
When we move our lips in praise and worship on a daily basis, God brings His power, strength, and joy into our lives. It is only when we fix our eyes on Jesus, when we hope in Him, that we will “soar on wings like eagles; . . . run and not grow weary, . . . walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing me with the garment of praise through Christ Jesus. Help me to wear it daily. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Empowered by Praise, Aligning with Heaven: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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About Leading The Way
Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through every available form of media, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives around the world.
What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ, including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Dr. Youssef's Biblically-based programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. His books, MY Journal magazine, and daily e-devotionals continue to minister to a global audience. Leading The Way utilizes cutting-edge technology to advance the Gospel. Its solar-powered Navigators are reaching into remote villages, and the ministry's KINGDOM SAT TV channel—launched by Dr. Youssef in 2009—is reaching into the Middle East with programming in English, Arabic, and French. Field Teams follow up with viewers, including those in restricted areas, to lead the lost to Christ, disciple new believers, and support the underground Church.
Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way team are committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus with the lost and equipping believers to grow in Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.
About Dr. Michael Youssef
Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground teams. His Biblically-based teaching programs are broadcast more than 18,000 times per week in multiple languages around the world. He is also the Founding Rector of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, and founder of the AWAKE America prayer movement.
Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds theological degrees from Moore College and Fuller Theological Seminary and a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Life-Changing Prayers, Is the End Near?, How to Read the Bible, Heaven Awaits, and God’s Final Call. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 15 grandchildren.
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