1st Chronicles 16:34

It is important to understand that the fault is never with God. Never. When we cease to be able to praise and give thanks from a place of trueness within us, such points to something in us. Perhaps we took a left turn at sin road five miles back, and, instead of dealing with that with God, we are justifying it still today. Suddenly the sky seems shut off and life is heavy, prayers fall flat. Return and repent, that you may give thanks again from a heart of true gratitude. Or perhaps we’ve lost our focus and priorities (I’m guilty of this one continuously) for any number of reasons, including the general grind of life.

Very well, let us recenter ourselves on Christ—and then give Him praise.

But if the command is to continually give Him praise and thanksgiving, and we find ourselves with a lack of desire for such, unwilling, or unable, that should be a sign unto us, if we are honest.

I realize of course, sometimes this is a seemingly impossible ask. That’s likely why the Scripture refers to a “sacrifice of praise” in another place. Sometimes praise and thanksgiving is a pure act of the will in obedience, despite our feelings and circumstances. And yet, let us not forget those early disciples who were singing and praising God that they were counted worthy to be beaten for the name of the Lord Jesus. If that doesn’t help us put things in perspective, we might consider some serious soul searching.

God has been good to us; none of us have truly received our just rewards for our evil. And even though He may have beaten us severely for our wicked deeds, such is only for our betterment in salvation and towards holiness; it’s just part of the process and indeed a mercy unto us. All the more reason to sing His praises. He loves us enough to chastise us. And no matter the reason or pressure, remember: Gold is refined in the fire. Let us give Him thanks today.