Praise God Despite Hard Times

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk was perplexed. Wickedness and oppression were out of control in Judah, but God did nothing. Habakkuk determined to ask God and to stay before Him until God answered: “I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint” (2:1).

The Lord let him know that it would get worse, but in the end, God would bring deliverance. Habakkuk learned to recognize God as the absolute Ruler controlling all things. He would wait on God’s perfect timing in a spirit of worship.

Habakkuk understood that God is both good and sovereign. He could list the worst calamities imaginable and say, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God” (Hab. 3:18).

Habakkuk had reached the ultimate in spiritual growth; he would praise God no matter what happened because he recognized he walked with an all-powerful, loving God.

When we trust God to control every detail of our lives, we, too, can praise God in all things. It’s a matter of faith.

Dear Lord, help me to recognize that failing to praise You in everything is failing to recognize Your desire and power to make all things work together for good.

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).