The Sacrifice of Praise is due, whenever our wicked hearts are tempted to murmur and complain.

I thank God for the examples of elder people who exemplified this truth in my life.  I have seen the power and strength of this truth at a time of my personal greatest anguish.  God was inhabiting my praise and empowering me above my strength.
I felt all strength leave my legs at my baby's funeral.  I felt the surge of strength when God's people sang in unison behind me. It was truly dynamic and supernatural.  I believe that it was what got me up when I fell, time and again.  Still, my heart falls into murmuring and disfunction, but, I know that God is worthy of the praise in my heart, even when I don't feel it.  He can and does handle my complaints and questions. Lord, why?  What are You achieving in my life through this pain?  God knows and cares and picks me up from the muddy banks of selfish anguish and carries me into the knowledge that He is greater.
"Halleluia, anyhow" was sung by older people in church and I used to wonder how they could sing that. I guess I still do, but as a discipline, I worship the God who is above all of the circumstances.  He has chosen to say no to my utmost desire. To see my eldest son live his life.  He was taken at 21 days old.  I know that God is greater and has my good in His care, whether I understand it or not.  He has the rest of my life in His care.  The sadnesses that come and griefs that we endure will be understood, by and by.  Until then, Thank God that we have a faithful and strong High Priest who is in the Heavenlies interceding for us.  I might complain, on occasion and He will guide me through the struggle to the safety of higher ground where I can cast my cares upon Him, who cares for me.
That's why I love Jesus and praise Him.

I do love Psalm 34.

Psalm 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

It is one of my greatest comforts and still one of my greatest questions. I experience God's filling and fulfilling and I experience desolation and longing and wonder at God's goodness and my undeservedness of each. Are you here to bring to light my secret sin?, said the woman to Elijah. None of them who trust in Him will be desolate? Why do we suffer want? Outside of Christ, God owes us suffering. Redemption is the "fulfillment". God has come that we, who were owed suffering could experience redemption, in Christ. Ultimately, all of our needs are met. In the meantime, we wonder... When I am desolate, I think "am I in the camp that hate the righteous?" When I am fulfilled, I think, "am I in the camp of the righteous?" Christ is the payment for sin and we will know both the want and the fulfillment, but God is above it all. We trust Him to fulfill and to give to those who are His own, as He has promised. I have known empty days as all people do. I have wondered how this promise could be true, if I am suffering so. I have walked blindly in that area of life and expected God to prove Himself to me in that area of my life. Because I am desolate makes God no less God is learned as we trust Him. I see myself in this season, as Peninah to my dear sweet daughters, as I rejoice in what, to them is desolation. I thank God for their delay in child-bearing and they hate my rejoicing in this. I see how God is so far above our longings. It is in "REDEMPTION" that we are fulfilled. He is truly in control and keeps things, sufficient for the time when we can bear them. He knows our frame and considers that we are dust. My longings do not stay His hand or speed it up. His time-frame is sovereign and set. My blessings of full quiver and loving family do not keep Him from blessing more. We can still have that which we can expect, even when we are overflowing with His provision. Fear, keeps us from seeing His oversight in our sad states. He is above our infirmities and our healing. He is above our delights and our challenges. He is truly faithful to my soul in desolations and delights. Halleluia, what a Savior!.