Many people struggle through the holidays feeling that nothing in their life is worth giving praise and thanks to God. My guest, Andrea Merrell points out that our praise and thanks to God has nothing to do with our circumstances.
2MefromHim Devotional
. . . let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Hebrews 13:15
The last thing I felt like doing was praising God. I was in pain, worried about finances, and spiraling into depression. All I wanted to do was complain and cry myself to sleep.
In everything give thanks.
What did I have to be thankful for? Everything was going wrong. Where was God when I needed Him?
Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
Giving my praise would definitely be a sacrifice. My soul felt parched and dry.
Count it all joy.
What? You’ve got to be kidding! There’s no joy in my situation. Where are you God?
God inhabits the praises of His people.
Suddenly all my arguments fell flat. God had not abandoned me. He knew my desperation and waited for me to give Him what He desired most—my love and my praise.
What did I have to be thankful for? So many things I couldn’t begin to count them all. God’s faithfulness, provision, and countless answers to prayers over the years, filled my heart.
In everything give thanks.
He wasn’t asking me to thank Him for my circumstances; He was asking me to praise Him in spite of them—knowing He would take care of everything that concerned me.
Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
Realizing how much I had to be thankful for made the sacrifice much easier and well worth the effort.
Count it all joy.
My soul began to rejoice, knowing God had heard my prayer and was coming to my rescue.
God inhabits the praises of His people.
That’s why the Psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” When we express our gratitude, God is enthroned upon our praise and the cares of this life fade away in comparison to His glory and grace.
Need Him today? Give Him your praise.
Copyright by Andrea Merrell
About the author:
Andrea Merrell is Associate Editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also a freelance editor and has led workshops at various writers’ conferences. Published in numerous anthologies and online venues, Andrea is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, The Gift, and Praying for the Prodigal, To learn more, visit www.andreamerrell.com or www.TheWriteEditing.com.
4 Comments
A beautiful post, Andrea. Sometimes praise is truly a sacrifice.
Many years ago, there was a song on the radio that had these lyrics, “The chains that bind us fall helplessly behind us when we praise the Lord.” I’m probably don’t remember the words quite right but that song was a huge blessing to me at the time. We were going through a crippling crisis and, when that song came on, I would sing it at the top of my lungs. I’d imagine all the fear, pain, and hopelessness falling away from my heart.
Blessings to you.
I remember that song, Sherry. It was amazing. God truly inhabits the praises of His people. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Thank you for this precious post Andrea! You are a blessing!
Thank you so much, Marcie! Blessings to you. 🙂