As the month long pursuit of meditating on a Psalm of Thanksgiving comes to a close this week, there are many things to reflect on about my response to knowing God and entering His presence. The humble act of disciplining myself to sit still and be quiet before Him always leads to breaking out in praise for who He is. All it takes is a sincere Thank You to enter His presence.1
That doesn’t mean there is no longer pain. It doesn’t mean there won’t continue to be new opportunities to cry out to Him from whatever trouble in which I find myself. It does mean I have been building memorial stones of gratitude for His deliverance in the midst of it. So I am likely to remember that He has never not been faithful to His promises when I encounter it again. Which leads me to remember the many attributes of His character in this year long pursuit of finding Him Bigger.
A Thanksgiving Psalm
It seems fitting just before Thanksgiving to meditate on and pray Psalm 100 back to God. I tell my Ladies Bible Study to make their own observations with the Holy Spirit before going to any bible study notes or commentaries so they are not robbed of the blessing of the Holy Spirit’s illumination. That includes reading from The Message. Eugene Peterson already did all the commentary work when he wrote The Message. It is glorious in its ability to help me understand, but I count it as cheating if I go to it first. Going to it after my own observation of Psalm 100 was so affirming. I usually add the ESV text at the end of my blogs, but today Psalm 100 is in The Message. You can enjoy below.
We traditionally read a Psalm and sing a hymn on Thanksgiving Day. Psalm 100 is quoted in the valuebook I bought from the Christian bookstore years ago.
With a Grateful Heart: The Joy of Thanksgiving2 is the best little book to use to guide your day, week, and month. Included are songs, poems, short stories, verses, daily readings, and presidential proclamations. It may be hard to find now but would be worth your effort to try.
My reflections of Psalm 100
A peace offering to God
Psalm 100 is a peace offering of thanks back to God.3 The unknown author is calling on all the earth to join in a series of actions to the LORD. Shouting, Serving, Coming, Knowing, Entering, Giving Thanks, and Blessing His Name. Also included is how I am to join in the action. Joyfully, with gladness, with singing, and with praise. Why is this the proper response? That’s easy. He made me. I am His. I am His people and a sheep of His pasture. If that is not reason enough, then I will consider His goodness in the way His steadfast covenant love towards me endures forever, along with His faithfulness to all generations.
Knowing God comes first
Knowing that God is the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe is a prerequisite for praising Him. What I am assured of is that He created me, made me His, and continues to care for me as a Shepherd.4
Enter through the Door
Jesus Christ is not only the Way to enter His gates, but He is also the Door to the entry.5 As my Great High Priest, He is the Sacrificer who sacrificed Himself as the Lamb who was slain. So I am welcome to now boldly approach the Holiest Court.6
My life is a reasonable sacrifice
There is nothing left to do but affectionately praise Him for who He is as I commit my life as a sacrifice, which is a reasonable act of worship, all things considered.7
100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
