You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.
Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
Psalm 71:20-22

The Psalmist in this chapter is not in a good place. It would seem that he has experienced relational brokenness, betrayal and rejection. Yet, in the middle of this trauma, he offers praise and thanks to God.

What for, you may ask? He spells it out: for God’s promises. Even though those promises were not realized in his life the Psalmist uses his faith to imagine life as though those promises were true, because they are. And though they aren’t tangible at the moment, he knows they will be soon enough. He can take God’s promises to the bank and cash them in for relief from His suffering.

When You don’t know what to praise Him for, praise Him for His promises, even when they aren’t completely manifested in your life.

How do we do this?

First, we need to know what God’s promises are. If we are living in covenant with Him, we can know and understand the terms of that covenant. What has He agreed to do for us? What have we agreed to do for Him?

There are promises associated with every situation we could face in this life. Do some searching in Your bible, and find out the promises that pertain to your situation. Perhaps you are facing a difficult time with your child, your marriage, your finances, or your relationships? There is a promise for you from God!

Father,

I desperately need to know Your promise for me in this situation I am facing. Lord, show me Your promises, and give me the faith to believe them, the faith to believe You!

Remind me that Your promises are worth praising you for even when my circumstances aren’t lining up. I will rejoice in faith to believe what my eyes can’t yet see!

I praise You for Your great and precious promises. I say “Yes!” and “Amen!” to every one, for You have given them to me. I receive them.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. Psalm 18:30

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Psalm 12:6 

I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 52: 4

I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. Psalm 56:10