From Sunrise to Sunset

This week my heart has been heavy for many.

First those in the path of another hurricane.  The rising death toll. The brutal loss of belongings and livelihood. Some who were just recovering from the damage of the last calamity. For some, losing everything means losing little. But everything is never small, is it?

Then closer to home, my heart was heavy for grieving friends. A childhood friend who recently lost her husband to cancer. Another friend whose child is fighting an illness with every breath. Another saying goodbye to a grandparent. It’s always too soon, isn’t it?

And then there were the strangers sitting near us in a support group. People that my husband and I had just met with whom we share a common problem. One new acquaintance felt as though life is being slowly taken away from him. Another was trying to find the silver lining in the new challenges. Everyone was getting used to a new normal they didn’t want. Change is hard, isn’t it?

In the midst of these lows this week, I saw a gorgeous sunset. And I remembered the praises of Psalm 113. Especially verse three that says:

                From the rising of the sun to its setting,

The name of the LORD is to be praised! [ESV]

Chapter 13 goes on to describe a God who is seated on high in all His glory above the heavens. And who else is like Him that He can also descend all the way to earth to be with us?

I want to praise that kind of God! I have known a few who have questioned why a good God allows such bad things to happen. We don’t know why. Jesus told us there would be suffering in the world. Nothing we can do will keep us from suffering. But we can praise Him through our suffering. A praise offered to God for just being God. No matter what. Every day. Through highs and lows. From sunrise to sunset. I will praise His name.