praise...in all things

At times, praise is such an easy thing.  There are moments where it just flows from us:  as we look all around, we find things for which we should praise the Lord:  health, finances, provision, beauty, relationship, safety, creation...(and the list can go on, and on).  But, there are times where it doesn't just flow from us, times where we don't recognize anything to worship or give thanks for.
I read this morning in Psalm 89.  It's pretty long, so I won't quote it.  But the whole thing is Israel recounting the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord.  Over and over they talk of the covenant He has made with them and the house of David...a covenant to sustain them, to grow them, to keep them in Him.  In fact, the very first verse says that they will, "sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever" and will with their mouths "make known His faithfulness to all generations."  Their words drip with the worthiness of Him, who has proven Himself so faithful to His Word and His name.  His goodness has completely overwhelmed them, and they recognize that there is none like Him.  In light of all that, why wouldn't they praise Him?  It's somewhat of a no-brainer...God has been so good to us, it just makes sense to thank Him...to rejoice in Him.
But then the Psalm changes.  For some reason left unknown to us, the end verses of the Psalm tell us they are suffering the wrath of God.  All of a sudden, praise wouldn't be so easy, would it?  At least not for me...that would be the last thing on my mind as I suffered punishment.  Again, it just makes sense...
But that's not what happens.  As the end of the Psalm tells of the people going through their punishment and judgment, there is no mention of grumbling or cursing.  Instead, they call again on the Lord's faithfulness, remind Him of His covenant with them, and then continue to praise Him.  The very last verse says, "Blessed be the Lord forever..."
The point is not just that we praise Him in all things...the point is why we praise Him:  for who He is, for His name, His word, His purposes in us.  Israel stayed mindful of that, and because they did, could joyfully proclaim, "Blessed be the Lord forever!"
I don't know where your life is, or what you find yourself going through:  grief, sorrow, difficulty, punishment...I don't know.  The point is that in all these things, we recognize Him as worthy and praise Him as such...regardless of what things are like for us...