God is in Control

          Of course we know this, but how often do we give Him credit for the good things that happen in our lives?  We are quick to find blame when things go wrong in our life or at the very least question why He would allow bad things to happen.  I wonder though how much praise is issued when things are going good in our lives.  Not great things, but just normal every day things, good health, good job, good finances.  I was reading through Psalm 44 today and the people there gave credit to God for their victories.

Psalm 44:6 I put no trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory; 

Psalm 44:7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame. 

Psalm 44:8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.

          But even in praising God for their victories when God turned from them to humble them since they had become prideful they still stayed strong in their faith to God even if they did not understand why He was not with them anymore to help them receive victory.

Psalm 44:17 All this came upon us,
though we had not forgotten you;
we had not been false to your covenant. 

Psalm 44:18 Our hearts had not turned back;
our feet had not strayed from your path. 

Psalm 44:22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

          We have to remember Who is in control, and Who has the bigger picture.  We need to be giving praise in the good times and the bad because even though it may not seem like it at times God has our best interests at heart.  He loves us and desires the best for us.  This is obvious in the fact that He sent His Son here among us to be tortured by us and killed by us for our sins.  So when we find ourselves in good times, normal times, or bad times we must remember Who is in control and trust in Him.