You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?

Psalm 56:8, NKJV
Once again I started crying as we sang in church. I dug in my purse for a tissue and offered my tears to God. Did you know that God treasures every tear? After our daughter’s death, an older woman in the church wrote me, “There is power in praise—never stop.” She had lost her son the year before, so she knew how tempting it was to spiral into depression. Praise takes my eyes off myself.
It is easy to praise God when everything is going well. But it is much more difficult to praise God in the middle of mourning. Praise becomes more of an act of submission, an act of obedience. Because we loved Elizabeth, we grieved. Because we grieved, our praise became a sacrifice.
God offers this day that He has made for us (Psalm 118:24). Although we are often tempted to despair, each day we rise to accept whatever the day brings, with prayers for grace and courage. This also is a sacrifice of praise. Perhaps this is the final gift Elizabeth gave to us: the ability to offer a sacrifice of praise to God even through our sorrow.



Scripture Focus

Hebrews 13:12-16

Insight

Praise God even when you do not feel like it. Your loving heavenly Father values your feeblest efforts.

Bible In A Year

  • Ezekiel 39-40
  • Psalm 150
  • 2 Timothy 3-4

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