February 16, 2026 Devo

I don’t watch the Grammys, but I did happen to see a video of the singer Jelly Roll giving his acceptance speech for winning the award for Best Contemporary Country Album, “Beautifully Broken.” The video, which is only just over one minute long, may be one of the most passionate testimonies I’ve ever witnessed. If you missed it, it’s really worth watching. I don’t know his story, but it’s obviously one of bad choices, dead-end roads, and a man who has had to come to terms with himself. Several times, in several ways, he gives all the glory to God for His Grace and Deliverance. He ends with these words: "I want to tell y’all right now: Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no musical label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with him. I love you, Lord.” Oh yeah, he also won another Grammy for the song he did with Brandon Lake called “Hard-Fought Hallelujah.” My guess is that song is a testimony, too!
Please hear my heart on this. I don’t know anything about Jelly Roll or what kind of life he lives. But what I appreciated in his speech was how hard he worked to say, “This is not about ME. This is about Jesus who is with me.” He had the spotlight of the world upon him, and he pointed to Jesus. And I got tears in my eyes as I watched it.
That testimony is the essence of our passage today. As Isaiah points to the coming Jesus and the work He will do, he makes a statement that is so powerful and profound. “For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.” He points to the restoration of Israel. He points to the renewed joy that will be among the people. He points to how, despite all that they’ve gone through, victory will ultimately be theirs. But they must never forget that it is not because THEY are so great, but because GOD is so great!
That’s OUR testimony, too! I’ll bet many of you are like Jelly Roll and have been down long, hard roads. But now you live a different life, a better life, a holy life. But it’s not because of YOU, but the Holy One who is with you! Some of us are thankful for our homes and our families. But many of us would have to confess that our homes and our families are only what they are because of the Holy One who lives among us. Most of us will never stand on a stage and have the world’s attention like Jelly Roll did. But when we are asked about how we got to where we are or why our families have survived as they have, let’s be sure to point to God and give Him all the glory. Because Jelly Roll’s not the only one with a “Hard-Fought Hallelujah.” That’s God’s Word for you today.