"Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.” Psalm 150:1

And we do praise you, O eternal God, the Triune King, Lord of all, Ruler of the universe and beyond. We praise you for your powerful love, which, humanly speaking, is illogical—there is no reason for you to love us rebels.

Yet, in your marvelous love for even your enemies, you have wrought a wonderful place of grace within a world of woe. As we pass through the difficulties of life, we see your faithfulness over and over:

you are never late in helping,

you are never short of grace,

you are never lax in listening,

you are never reluctant to respond.

Your wisdom and goodness, as well as your love and grace, allow into our lives what is for our good and growth, along with displaying your glory and greatness. Each happening, pleasant or painful, happy or hard, delightful or difficult,

is a gift from your hand, the opportunity to focus on you and to respond with thanksgiving.

This can be the thanksgiving of joy, the overflow of seeing your goodness poured out on us.

Or it can be the thanksgiving of sacrifice, offering praise in faith when we’d rather complain, or feel sorry for ourselves or rebel.

Each possibility has its positives; thank you that you give both opportunities for praising: by sight and by faith.

You, Lord God are trustable, your faithfulness endures forever, praise be to you.

Picture: faithfulness