Yesterday we looked at how we can get closer to God by praising Him in all things.

In contrast, failure to praise is resisting God’s working in our lives. It is a form of rebellion.

This is laid out in Psalm 106:24-26, giving the Israelites’ response to the report of the spies after they had seen the promised land.

“Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. [They failed to praise, to trust, to submit to God’s leadership]

"They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD." [Instead of praising, they complained, rebelling against what the Lord was giving them.]

"So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the desert.” [So the Lord did not give them the good things He had offered

and waited till all those grumblers had died before bringing the Israelites into the land].

In contrast, we should more follow David’s example in Psalm 34:1-2.

“I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be on my lips.”

[We can always say, “Thank you, Lord God, that in every happening there is potential growth in my focus on you

and a platform upon which I can demonstrate your grace to the world.”]

Help  me, Lord, to praise you in every situation that I may draw close to you and demonstrate faith in You to the world.

Picture: in the twists and turns of life, God has a plan and will carry us through.