To Praise From Pity

Sometimes my mind focuses on what I don’t have
Or on all the fun that I’m missing out on
But that perspective changes for me
When I walk down certain streets
And the plight of others I see

Some may not have a home or be hungry
Others need to ask strangers for money
Yet others have physical or mental frailties
And I’m reminded worse my life could be
So my mind does 180 degrees

I may not have all I want, but got what I need
And so I go to praise from pity
Praise the Lord for the sickness from which he healed me
Praise Him for all the problems God solved miraculously
Praise Him for showing up in time of need
Praise Him that my blessings are so many
Morning and night new mercies I see
Praise Him that I’m in no state of pity.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 92:1, Hebrews 13:5
Background
Sometimes I see stuff I want or think about things I want to do to point where I can feel pitiful because I believe I’m missing out. But just a walk down some streets can change my feeling. When I see the conditions of some that I definitely wouldn’t want to be in; I start praising God for what I do have and for the state I’m in. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with such things as we have for God will never forsake us and He will still bless us with the things that we pray for. But until He does, I’m going to be sure to praise Him for what He has already done. Psalm 92:3 says it is a good thing to give thanks and praise to the Lord.

Still Reasons To Give God Praise

I was able to go to church and get in my praise
But I can’t do anything else I planned today
The body won’t cooperate
I now understand the Scriptures in James (4:14)
Do what you can each day
As you don’t know what tomorrow will bring your way

But I won’t complain
There’s still reasons to give praise
I’m not in such shape that at home I can’t stay
I got a comfortable bed in which to lay
Got the juice and meds I need to take
So I’m really OK
I’ll just rest and pray
That I’ll feel better the next day

I’ve experienced in life
That even in dark moments, there’s something bright
It can be hard to see, but when you look carefully
And consider that worse it could be
There’s still reasons to give God thanks and praise.

Scripture Reference 1 Timothy 5:18
Background

Even when something bad happens, usually something good can be found in the bad, and that makes a reason to give God thanks. For example, you may be sick, but thank God for a bed to rest in or loving people to help you and to comfort you. You may not have a job, but thank God He is still housing and feeding you. Even when something bad happens all of a sudden, God can bring something good along with it. I remember just as soon as I fell off a bike, some stranger came walking down the street to help me get up. Things can always be worse, so I learned in everything to give God thanks.

As the hart panteth after the water brook

So my heart pant eth after You
To hear Thy voice, feel Thy presence
To lift my hands up to heaven
And praise You in effervescence

Like the water that sustain the greenery
I pray You sustain me
And forever close we be
With your water I will never be thirsty.

Scripture reference – Psalm 42, John 4:13