In Good Times or Bad

Praise is the spontaneous acknowledgment of what is valuable. People naturally praise what they treasure. God is our Maker and our Redeemer, and He is therefore entitled to and worthy of our praise. No one and nothing deserves your praise more than Him. Even in less-than-ideal circumstances, we still have reason to praise God simply because of who He is. When we bid farewell to a loved one or we lose a job that provides our earthly comforts, we can still choose to praise Him. When our voices are choked with tears, when our hearts fail us, when our circumstances frustrate us, when life seems to let us down—we may still find in God’s “steadfast love” that “endures forever” (Psalm 100: 5) endless reason for joyful worship and thankful praise. He is never less than your mighty Creator and loving Savior. —Alistair Begg, Truth for Life

Our praise isn’t dependent on how we feel or what we face—it’s rooted in the unchanging character of our God. He is good, faithful, merciful, and sovereign, even when life feels chaotic or uncertain. Habakkuk declared, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior”(Habakkuk 3:17–18). His praise wasn’t based on abundance, but on trust in God’s presence and promises. When we lift our eyes above our circumstances and fix them on Christ, praise becomes a powerful act of faith. It reminds our hearts that God is still on the throne, still working, still worthy. In worshiping Him for who He is, we find strength for today and hope for tomorrow. —DH