”Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 100:4New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 100:4 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
Thank God and praise His Name
In Psalm 100:4, the Psalmist is calling (inviting) us to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise so that we may thank Him and praise His Name. The Psalmist symbolized this as an entry through the gates of God’s temple with thanksgiving, and an entry into His courts with praise. This was the Old Testament picture of the gates and the courts of the Tabernacle.
Therefore, whenever we go before God, we are to do so with a spirit of thanksgiving and a heart of praise. This is because we have so many reasons to thank God. And Jesus is the greatest of all these reasons.
Jesus is the means to thank and praise God
Additionally, Jesus is the means to thank and praise God. Remember, Hebrews 4:16 highlights that Jesus is the reason that we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence”. And when we have done so, “we receive mercy and find the grace that helps us in our time of need”. All because Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice on our behalf at Calvary.
However, in the Old Testament, the Israelites couldn’t approach God as we do. They went into the outer court of the Tabernacle with their sacrifices that were offered on the altar. So, you and I are immensely blessed.
If we can go before earthly rulers with gifts, then why shouldn’t we go before God with the “gifts” of thanksgiving and praise? God is greater than our earthly kings. He cannot compare to them in stature and deeds.
Thanksgiving and praise are our expressions of faith
Therefore, thanksgiving and praise are our expressions of faith toward a God for His mercy and goodness. This is in remembrance of God’s enduring love, goodness, and faithfulness. It is gratitude with regard to God’s marvelous works or acts in our lives. Not only this but when we actively and proactively give thanks, it forces us to take the focus off our problems and on who God really is.
Prayer/Blessing
May you raise up thanksgiving and praise to God today and always. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Hebrews 8-10 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
