Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef
September 16, 2026
Seeing God for Who He Is
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
Your view of God determines your praise, and your praise mirrors your view of God. If you believe that He is your loving, patient, and forgiving heavenly Father, your praise will reflect those qualities of God. If you believe that God cares about you every moment and in every circumstance and that no situation is beyond His notice and care, then you are likely to praise God all the time! “Praise the Lord!” will be something you say in one form or another countless times throughout the day.
If you are deeply grateful that God has saved you from the consequences of your sin, you will be filled with so much praise that you cannot express it all in just a few moments. Your praise will overflow because your gratitude is so great.
If you see God as fully willing to move heaven and earth on your behalf, your praise will be enthusiastic and heartfelt! If you see God as on your side, always working for your eternal benefit, you will praise God with intensity and deep faith.
God’s greatness can leave us speechless and in awe. His greatness can easily make the language of praise more difficult, but it also makes praise necessary. Praise brings us to a fuller recognition of God—not so that we might cower before Him but so that we might bow before Him in humble worship. We worship God not to do something for Him, although He does desire our praise, but to affirm His lordship over our lives.
The word worship comes from the word worth-ship, which means expressing to God His worth to us. How much do you value who God is? How much do you value what God has done for you? How much do you rely daily on what God promises to do for you? How much worth do you place on your relationship with Him?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are infinitely good. You are compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love. Renew my mind to remember who You are and show me who I am as Your child. I want to see You rightly, that I may praise You rightly. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series Empowered by Praise: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
Want more devotionals from Leading The Way? Sign up for MY Devotional and have a devotional delivered directly to your inbox daily!
PARTNER WITH US
We are Leading The Way for people living in spiritual darkness, at home and around the world, to discover the light of Christ as we passionately proclaim uncompromising Truth. Visit us today at ltw.org.
Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
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.
Contact Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef
webmail@LTW.org
http://www.ltw.org
Leading The Way
P.O. Box 20100
(404) 841-0100
Toll-free line
(800) 337-5323