A popular call-in radio program host, Dave Ramsey, continually
reminds himself and his listeners of a basic theological truth: when asked how
he is, he says, “Better than I deserve.”
These are pity-party destroying words. I need to hear and
say them more days than I care to admit. It is easy to praise God when things
go my way, when I’m comfortable, when prayers are answered, problems are
solved, and I win rather than lose. The Bible is filled with examples of that
kind of praise:
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation, the God who gave me vengeance and brought down peoples under me, who brought me out from my enemies; you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from men of violence. For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.” (2 Samuel 22:47–51)
But what about praising God when suffering, or when
prayers seem unheard, or problems remain and I am losing not winning? Isn’t
this what happened to Jesus when He was crucified? It feels good to identify
with Him in His victories, but what about in His suffering?
“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:12–16)
God is to be praised when life is good, but also when praise
is difficult, when it seems like a sacrifice. This is made easier by realizing
that no matter what happens to me, I am not receiving what my sins deserve. The
wages of sin is death so the fact of being alive and breathing is something for
which to be thankful, to praise God for as a mercy and a grace.
Tozer says that all good and beneficial things are gifts
of Almighty God and come to us out of His lovingkindness, including His grace
in atonement, revelation, redemption, mercy, the gift of eternal life and in
the indwelling Spirit. For all this and everything else we are in debt to God
forever. We can never repay our heavenly Father for the least of His mercies.
Yet God in His wisdom has not made earth a ‘heaven’ where
life is perfect. In this place, we experience the whiplash of sin, our own and
others. Life is not perfect and the pain of its imperfection is a classroom in
the kingdom of God. Can I be thankful when my shelves are bare and my health is
failing? Can I be thankful when life is lemons, pain is the norm, and answered
prayer is rare?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–19)
It is the works of the Holy Spirit to produce gratitude,
no matter what is happening. As already said, no matter what goes contrary to
my desires, there is always something to be thankful for and many reasons for
which I can praise God. He isn’t asking me to be thankful for the unpleasant
things but it is His will that I am thankful, not griping or complaining.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, it is good to make a gratitude list now and then,
even every day. It is also good to review Your goodness, Your attributes, all
those things that are true of You and worthy of praise. Feeling sorry for
myself is too easy and evidence of the ‘spoiled brat’ that I am. Today is a
good day to fill with praise. Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit and
for making praise easy because You are totally worthy.
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