Previous article:Giving With Gladness

Posted on May 03, 2020 by Mike LeDuke Next article:Why Do We Give?

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

How often is our praise for God dictated by our circumstances and our feelings? How often do we tighten our lips because of what has happened to us or happened to those around us?

Our praise cannot correlate with our situation. Thus David wrote that he would bless God at all times, and that God’s praise would continually be in his mouth. Consider Job:

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.And he said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:20-21

Admittedly, this attitude is amazing. It certainly isn’t how we normally think — when we want to lash out at God because of what has happened, or when we lift our eyes to heaven asking why. But, it is the attitude that we seek — this is the mind of the Lord, who, in the last few days of his life, approaching his death with a measure of fear, made a powerful declaration:

Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. John 12:27-28

And despite the terrifying circumstances before him, he blessed God’s name.

These last few posts have considered generosity — generosity with time, generosity with service, and generosity with money. But what about praise?

How generous are you with your praise for God?

Do you only praise Him when things are good? Or do you recognize that even in the tragedies, God is good? Despite the pain, despite the fear, despite the overwhelming urge to escape — God is good.

In Psalm 89, the psalmist describes this kind of attitude as blessed. So often we think of blessings as those things that are material, or those that affect our health. And yet the psalmist sees this generous attitude toward praising God as a blessing:

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. Psalm 89:15-16

Those who are blessed exult in God’s name all of the day. And what is His name? Mericful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:5-6

Those who are blessed are the ones who recognize God’s mercy and grace — His faithfulness — all the day.

No matter what kind of day it has been.

Because God is good.

— Jason Hensley