Today’s Open Heaven devotional (17 February 2026) is THE SECRET TO PROMOTIONS.
The daily devotion guide is written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 17 FEBRUARY 2026 DEVOTIONAL TODAY
TOPIC: THE SECRET TO PROMOTIONS
MEMORISE:
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Psalm 75:6-7
READ: 2 Samuel 6:13-23
13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.
19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.
22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 17 FEBRUARY 2026 MESSAGE TODAY
People often describe David in different ways: the shepherd boy, the giant slayer, the worshipper, etc.
Despite these different descriptions, almost everyone who has heard and read about David agrees that the most important thing about him is that he knew how to praise God. That was the reason God loved him so much and kept promoting him to the extent that many regard him as Israel’s greatest king. If you want to also experience constant promotion and breakthroughs, you must be addicted to praising God.
What exactly is praise? Praise is not thanksgiving, and it is not worship. Worship is telling God that He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and anything you do to show Him that He is your Lord. Praise, however, is boasting about God, like when a boy boasts about his father.
In Matthew 21:15-16, the chief priests and scribes, who had seen the marvellous wonders that Jesus did, refused to praise Him. However, children began to cry in the temple, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Despite the fact that they didn’t praise God, the chief priests and scribes were angry because the children lavishly poured out their praise on Him.
Don’t become too big to praise God because when you do, you will become too insignificant to be promoted by Him.
Only a fellow with a childlike heart can truly praise God. In the Bible reading for today, when David brought the ark of God back to Israel, he praised God with careless abandon. He was not ashamed to dance before the Lord; he boasted in the Lord publicly and didn’t care about his position, reputation, or anything because he knew that he was praising the source of everything he had.
When his wife, Michal, saw him, she felt embarrassed and scolded him when he returned home, saying, “Don’t you have shame? Can’t you behave yourself when praising God? As a king, you should know better.” David replied, “Leave me to praise my God shamelessly. He is the One who promoted me above your father and everyone in your house. He is the source and owner of my life.”
People who praise God like David never stop enjoying promotions. You should never allow the opinions of people who have not faced the things you have faced and the victories that God has given you to stop you from praising Him exuberantly.
Become more intentional about boasting of God’s goodness and faithfulness over your life, and He will continually lift you higher and bless you far beyond your expectations (Ephesians 3:20).
ACTION POINT:
Make sure you boast about God to someone today, in your office, neighbourhood, on social media, and anywhere you go.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Numbers 25-26
HYMN 5: BLESSED ASSURANCE
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 17 FEBRUARY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Psalm 75:6-7
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
This scripture establishes the absolute sovereignty of God over every elevation in life. It dismantles the idea that promotion is determined by human systems, geography, or politics. It is a divine judicial act. Therefore, aligning with the Judge—the One who “setteth up”—is the wisest course. The memory verse implies that to connect with the source of promotion, one must connect with the Person of God in the manner He prescribes.
BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 6:13-23
This passage is the supreme biblical portrait of unbridled, kingly praise. David, having secured the return of the Ark (God’s manifest presence), abandons all royal decorum to dance “with all his might” before the Lord. He publicly exchanges his kingly robes for a linen ephod, symbolizing that before God, he was simply a priestly worshipper. Michal’s contempt represents the voice of human dignity, pride, and cold religion that despises passionate devotion. David’s rebuttal grounds his praise in a right understanding of source: “It was before the LORD, who chose me… I will be even more undignified than this” (v.21-22).
The Core Identity of a Promotable Life
Daddy Adeboye cuts through the many descriptors of David to identify the central key: “the most important thing about him is that he knew how to praise God.” This was not one quality among many; it was the defining quality that made God love him and propelled his relentless promotion. The lesson is stark: if you desire a similar trajectory of divine elevation, “you must be addicted to praising God.” Addiction implies a non-negotiable, compulsive need—it becomes your primary response to all of life.
The Distinct Power of Praise
A crucial distinction is made: Praise is not Thanksgiving (gratitude for what He has done) or Worship (reverence for who He is in His majesty). Praise is defined as “boasting about God.”
- The Childlike Model: Like a boy boasting about his father’s strength or achievements, praise is the joyful, unabashed proclamation of God’s acts, character, and supremacy to anyone who will listen. The children in Matthew 21 exemplify this—their praise was spontaneous, unreserved, and infuriated the religious elites who were too “mature” and calculating to offer such praise themselves.
- The Warning: “Don’t become too big to praise God because when you do, you will become too insignificant to be promoted by Him.” Pride is the death of praise, and the death of praise is the death of divine promotion. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble—and praise is the language of humble dependence.
The Heart Posture: Shameless Abandon
David’s story teaches that true praise requires a “childlike heart” and “careless abandon.” It is praise that is:
- Unashamed: It does not care for the “opinions of people.”
- Unrestrained by Position: David did not allow his kingship to inhibit his worship. His promotion did not make him too dignified for devotion; it made him more desperately dependent.
- Rooted in Right Perspective: David told Michal, “He is the One who promoted me… He is the source.” His praise flowed from the clear understanding that every good thing came from God. Praise acknowledges the Source, and in doing so, invites more from that Source.
The Promise: A Life of Continual Promotion
The devotional makes a powerful cause-and-effect promise: “People who praise God like David never stop enjoying promotions.” This is not about worldly ambition but about being “lifted higher” into God’s purposes, influence, and blessing. The mechanism is divine:
- Praise aligns you with the Judge (Psalm 75:7) who alone promotes.
- Praise is an act of faith that boasts of His goodness even before the full manifestation, creating an atmosphere for His “far beyond” blessings (Ephesians 3:20).
- Praise silences the Michals—the voices of criticism, religion, and pride that seek to quench your spiritual passion.
How to Cultivate a Life of Promotion-Attracting Praise
- Make Praise Intentional: Daddy Adeboye says, “Become more intentional about boasting of God’s goodness.” Set aside time not just to thank God, but to boast about Him—to recount His deeds aloud, to declare His attributes.
- Embrace Shamelessness: In your private and corporate worship, refuse to be held back by what people might think. Offer God the fullness of your passion, whether through dance, raised hands, or shouts of joy.
- Praise from Your Testimony: Like David, ground your praise in your personal history with God. “He did this for me, so I will praise Him!” This makes your praise authentic and powerful.
- Praise in the Face of Contempt: When criticism comes (and it will), respond like David. Do not apologize for your zeal. Reaffirm that God is worthy of all praise, regardless of human opinion.
- Praise as a Lifestyle: Let praise be your first response to good news, your weapon in bad news, and your constant atmosphere. An addicted praiser is a perpetual candidate for promotion.
Prayer for a Heart of Praise:
“Almighty God, Judge of all the earth, forgive me for times I have been too prideful, too conscious of others, or too reserved in my praise. Give me a childlike heart that boasts shamelessly in You. Break every spirit of religiosity and human dignity that inhibits my abandon before You. You are my Source and my Promoter. I choose today to be addicted to praising You. As I intentionally boast of Your goodness and faithfulness, I trust You to lift me higher into Your purpose and to bless me far beyond all I can ask or think, for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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