Jacob
2007-08-07 03:39:22 UTC
Some years ago I read in a book about a woman whose son was a drug
addict. The author was telling her to praise God for her son, saying
that as she gave thanks for the way things were, God would save her
son. My first reaction was shock, wondering about how we could praise
God for a drug addict. Later on I understood that the author meant
well, even though he had erred on the details.
Of course we can't thank God for drug addiction, or for a son we see
as a 'drug addict.' First of all God was not responsible for the son
being a drug addict, and secondly we can't praise God and give Him
glory for a bad situation. This kind of trying to give thanks in
everything (1Th.5:18) is an example of literal interpretation without
understanding the spirit. As a result our praise becomes mechanical
and not from the heart. We are also dishonest with ourselves, because
we are saying we are thankful to God when we are not.
God looks at the heart (1Sa.16:7), and He wants those who worship Him
in spirit and in truth (Jn.4:23). He is not impressed with nice choral
music or loud and rhythmic 'praise' songs, unless they come from the
heart. He finds great delight in people who are thankful to Him,
especially when they are passing through difficult times. This is what
scores over Satan who claims that people are only clinging to God
because of the benefits (Job.1:9-11).
If thanksgiving has to come from the heart there must be an attitude
of thanksgiving in our heart. It is natural that we don't feel
thankful when we are facing difficult situations. But that is only
because we are focussing on those situations and not on God. When we
consciously shift our focus to God, and recognise Him as being present
in our situation, our attitude begins to become thankful. Then we can
thank and praise Him meaningfully. Choosing to praise God even when we
don't feel like it is good. But focussing on God will make it easier
and meaningful.
Let's go back to the example of the drug addict. We recognise God as
the One who created this boy, not as a drug addict but as someone with
great potential. We praise Him for His love for this boy even though
he is caught in the snare of drugs at the moment. We recognise that
God is fully in control over this boy's life and can deliver him and
change him as we pray for him. We thank God for Jesus who has already
paid the price for the boy's redemption, and for the hope that at the
right time God would help him to come to the knowledge of the Saviour.
We acknowledge that there is nothing impossible for God, and we submit
humbly to His leading.
When the focus moves on to God, and when we think of His love and
mercy towards us and what He has done for us and prepared for us, our
heart gets filled with thanksgiving, and then praise is no more
mechanical.
addict. The author was telling her to praise God for her son, saying
that as she gave thanks for the way things were, God would save her
son. My first reaction was shock, wondering about how we could praise
God for a drug addict. Later on I understood that the author meant
well, even though he had erred on the details.
Of course we can't thank God for drug addiction, or for a son we see
as a 'drug addict.' First of all God was not responsible for the son
being a drug addict, and secondly we can't praise God and give Him
glory for a bad situation. This kind of trying to give thanks in
everything (1Th.5:18) is an example of literal interpretation without
understanding the spirit. As a result our praise becomes mechanical
and not from the heart. We are also dishonest with ourselves, because
we are saying we are thankful to God when we are not.
God looks at the heart (1Sa.16:7), and He wants those who worship Him
in spirit and in truth (Jn.4:23). He is not impressed with nice choral
music or loud and rhythmic 'praise' songs, unless they come from the
heart. He finds great delight in people who are thankful to Him,
especially when they are passing through difficult times. This is what
scores over Satan who claims that people are only clinging to God
because of the benefits (Job.1:9-11).
If thanksgiving has to come from the heart there must be an attitude
of thanksgiving in our heart. It is natural that we don't feel
thankful when we are facing difficult situations. But that is only
because we are focussing on those situations and not on God. When we
consciously shift our focus to God, and recognise Him as being present
in our situation, our attitude begins to become thankful. Then we can
thank and praise Him meaningfully. Choosing to praise God even when we
don't feel like it is good. But focussing on God will make it easier
and meaningful.
Let's go back to the example of the drug addict. We recognise God as
the One who created this boy, not as a drug addict but as someone with
great potential. We praise Him for His love for this boy even though
he is caught in the snare of drugs at the moment. We recognise that
God is fully in control over this boy's life and can deliver him and
change him as we pray for him. We thank God for Jesus who has already
paid the price for the boy's redemption, and for the hope that at the
right time God would help him to come to the knowledge of the Saviour.
We acknowledge that there is nothing impossible for God, and we submit
humbly to His leading.
When the focus moves on to God, and when we think of His love and
mercy towards us and what He has done for us and prepared for us, our
heart gets filled with thanksgiving, and then praise is no more
mechanical.