It’s easy to lose sight of the “big picture” when you stare intently on only one aspect of life. This “thing” can be something good or bad. It doesn’t really matter.

Throughout history, Israel constantly lost sight of God after winning a battle, and they focused on the wealth around them and the good times. The focus on the “plenty” made them forget about the hardship and also the One who brought them through it.

During hard times we tend to lose sight of God when we focus solely on the crisis at hand. We pitch a tent on and dwell in the pain of our situation.

Psalm 112 brings our focus back to where it should be. It is a “big picture” psalm.

This psalm starts with a few small words:

“Praise the Lord.” (NIV)

A command. Not a request. It does not say, “rejoice in your wealth” and it does not say, “dwell on your difficulties.” No, it says, “Praise the Lord.”

What happens when we do that? What happens when we keep our focus on God and do it continually?

There is a consequence; we are blessed as we delight in God!

This is not a one-off event. If we continue delighting in God—if it becomes our lifestyle—then not only we, but generations after us, will experience goodness (as defined by God). Generosity will be our trophy as we are able to give to others. Goodness will be our companion if we live honorably.

God doesn’t promise us a life without difficulties though! How can we expect that if Christ Himself suffered so much? The “big picture” is to praise the Lord in the good times and the bad times.

James 1:6 says that when we doubt we are like a wave being tossed around by the wind. It is easy to take on that watery shape if we take our eyes off God. When we constantly delight in and focus on God, He promises that we will not be shaken during times when our faith is stretched like a rubber band nor will we forget Him when it seems so easy to be distracted by abundance.

We will stay standing and our hearts will be secure, trusting in the Lord. Neither worry nor pride will consume us, and in the darkness God will be the hope we cling to! The psalm tells us that if we practice a lifestyle of praise and worship to God, at the end we will look in triumph on our enemies.

Praise the Lord.