I will shout for joy to God! I will sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. I say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You. All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing the praises of Your name.” Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in Him. He rules forever by His power; His eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against Him. Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard. [Psalm 66:1-8]
Today, I will not only gird myself with truth, but I will place the breastplate of righteousness over my chest. God’s word, wisdom, and Spirit rest within my heart, and this breastplate protects my spirit when being attacked. The essence of who I strive to be resides within my chest and helps beat the spiritual blood through my spirit like my heart beats and pushes blood through my body. I am God’s living temple and sacrifice, and His will rests deep within who I am. Help me to use this breastplate as a symbol of my faith in You. Help it protect my heart with promises and the depth of Your word and the wisdom You have taught me. Let me live fearlessly in serving You because I wear this breastplate over my heart and all the vital things that make me Your child.
Let me continually offer the sacrifice of praise to You, oh God, that is, the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to Your name. Help me not to forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices You are well pleased. I will do my best to obey those who rule over me, and be submissive, for they watch out for my soul, and they will give account for how they lead. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for me. For I am confident that I have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially am urged to do this. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make me complete in every good work to do His will, working in me what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)