I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1
Yes, life is crazy right now for everyone. I mean, all of us will always have a bit of insanity going at any given time—family drama, job stuff, financial challenges, health worries. And, of course, in this moment of history, we have a greater divisiveness in our nation than I’ve known in my five decades of life. Not to mention, being in the midst of a global health situation with a tumult of confusing voices on every side, shouting to prove their “truth” on how to best handle it.
I think we can all agree: Life is hard.
But, as believers, we can embrace a perspective in all things that is different from the world. We can look for the praise.
Friends, the Lord is with us—He will not leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). When we are obedient to His Word, trust Him, and remain surrendered to the Holy Spirit, God is faithful to reveal His presence and His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Bible tells us that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). But just as we need the light at our feet, I believe we need to hold up the lamp all around us as well, looking to the left, right, and up. This is how we illuminate the blessings—and the find the praise.
Let’s be intentional about holding our life—moment by moment—up to the light. Let’s look around at the little things throughout the day to recognize the Lord’s Hand in them. And in the big things (good, great, bad, or downright ugly), let’s be washed over by God’s grace and mercy in it…because, again, He is in it.
I can be a bit hard-headed and, as I may have mentioned a time or two, somewhat of a control freak. So, sometimes I actually have to look behind me for the praise. In fact, that’s where my gaze—and praise—has been in recent days: responding to the still small voice saying, “Child, look at what I’ve been accomplishing on your behalf.” As I’ve been focused on doing and box-checking, my precious Lord has been blessing me. There are events, for instance, about which I’ve been frustrated that have resolved…I was relieved, but now—in looking back at the situation—I see that God’s timing is what I needed. Not what I wanted.
So, as I sit here and give God glory because I can see how He’s has been putting my current life-puzzle in place, I am reminded to also look in the present for praise.
Lord, I do praise You in the big and little blessings. I trust You—help me trust You more. I believe You—help my unbelief. Let me seek You—and find You—in the moments of my day.
encouraged by grace 