Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. -Psalms 33:1
The Bible says that we are to praise the Lord, for it is good and fitting for believers to do so. When we praise the Lord we are doing that which is in full agreement with the Holy Spirit. Anytime we find ourselves doing anything that is in defiance of the Holy Spirit we will know it immediately. We will experience a negative kind of conviction in the heart. This is the convicting power of the Spirit. However, when we are doing what is in agreement with the Spirit of God, then we feel that wonderful and blessed affirmation of being in God’s will and doing that which is pleasing to the Lord. The Bible says that if we lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God that this is a good and positive pursuit. Such praise is pleasing to God, fitting for the believer, and in complete agreement with the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, the best place we can be is in a position of harmony with the Holy Spirit.
The problem comes when we start feeling like we don’t have anything to be thankful for, or that we might have some blessings in our lives, but they are overshadowed by the difficulties of life. Allow me to share an insight into blessings and trials: The trials of life don’t overshadow the blessings. The blessings overshadow the trials. The blessings outweigh the trials, problems, heartaches, and frustrations every time. When we are walking with Jesus Christ we can find that one blessing is greater than 100 problems. It will outweigh and overpower them all. Be careful not to confuse or misunderstand that sacred balance. When we start to view the trials of life as being greater than the blessings of God, then we have gotten our perspective all out of balance. James 1:2 says to consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds. In Christ those trials will not destroy us, but will make us stronger when we have come through them.
When we look at life from the perspective of praising the Lord and being thankful in all circumstances, then our attitude is in full agreement with the Holy Spirit, and we will begin to walk in strength, power, and victory.
