INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 100
Psalm 100 is a SONG OF CELEBRATION. It helps us restore a SPIRIT OF THANKFULNESS and JOYFUL GRATITUDE. It was written "for all the earth" to WORSHIP and PRAISE the Lord.
The Psalm was written as a "poetic hymn" by David, following a style of "meter" and "beat". Each verse has a "distinct message", with a final verse summing up God's character of GOODNESS, LOVE, and FAITHULNESS - giving us a reason for our WORSHIP, PRAISE & THANKS.
CHOOSE JOY - Verses 1&2
"Shout to the Lord all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy. Come before Him with singing"
Psalm 1001&2 (NCV)
"Shout for joy, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs."
Psalm 100:1&2 (NIV)
We are to first "shout joyfully to the Lord" and then to "serve(worship) the Lord with gladness, and then finally, "come before Him with joyful songs." These are three ways as happy people we can come into the Lord's presence. JOY and WORSHIP are choices that we make. "It does our heart good and it is truly contagious."
"The essence of worship is relating to God Himself. It is all about HIM, not just the SONGS themselves. Express your willingness to worship God in TRUTH , as well as in our SPIRITUAL SINGING." Matt Redman
"But the time is coming - indeed it is now here - when TRUE WORSHIPPERS will worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. For GOD IS SPIRIT, so those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH."
John 4:23
CULTIVATE A FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD - Read Verse 3
"Know that the LORD HIMSELF IS GOD. It is He who made us and WE ARE HIS; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
"Know that the LORD IS GOD. He made us and WE BELONG TO HIM; we are His people and the sheep He tends." Psalm 100:3 (NCV)
Knowledge of God is PERSONAL, not merely theological; and we should develop a RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
1. He is our SOVEREIGN GOD, and has dominion over us. He is OUR CREATOR. When we understand this, we are no longer anxious about the life we live, but WE HAVE PEACE AND JOY.
2. We can have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God - this is an experience like no other - as we TRUST HIS DECISIONS on our lives. He is our FATHER and we can have FAITH in HIS WORD and PROMISES. We become confident, people living in JOY and PEACE.
GATES OF THANKSGIVING & COURTS OF PRAISE - Read Verse 4
HIS GATES & COURTS
"Enter His GATES WITH THANKSGIVING and HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE."
Psalm 100:4a (NIV)
"Come into HIS CITY WITH SONGS OF THANKSGIVING and into HIS COURTYARDS WITH SONGS OF PRAISE."Psalm 100:4a (NCV)
What was in the Psalmist David's mind when he spoke about the "gates and courts"?
1. He could have been referring to the "stronghold of a ruler"- a judgement seat, where he held court - "deciding cases and granting favours". In this case, when you enter HIS GATES AND COURTS, you would meet with the righteous and just judge, who would have MERCY and GRACE upon you.
"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy and we will receive grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
2. In David's day, the tabernacle was the place where the "people of God approached Him". The city of Jerusalem had gates and courts, and only the Priests has access into God's presence. Today we can all approach God in PRAYER with THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE.
"When the Priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple." 1 Kings 8:10-11 (NLT)
'One cultivates a personal relationship with the God by LISTENING TO HIM and HE SPENDS TIME WITH HIS LOVED ONES. How much quality time do you spend with the Lord, accomplishing His work, showing love to others?" Charles Swindoll
GIVE THANKS TO HIM & BLESS HIS NAME
"GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME."Psalm 100:4b (NIV)
"THANK HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME." Psalm 100:4b (NCV)
"Give Thanks" in Hebrew means "to confess, praise, acknowledge, extol and thank". This is more than just thanking Him for His blessings. It literally means "we don't say enough about Him and what He does for us".
In Scripture the idea of GIVING THANKS is not just suggestion; Jesus actually modelled it in His PRAYER LIFE. God has already given us everything we need, particularly, GRACE and MERCY. We now need to channel these to others. We need to create a "Thank You List" and tell a story of GOD's GOODNESS and FAITHFULNESS in our lives.
"Cultivating a THANKFUL HEART is no small issue with God." Charles Swindoll
When we are "Praising (Blessing) His Name" we are showing honour to God. "His Name is Higher than any other Name." We affirm HIS POWER AND GOODNESS, and commit ourselves to following Him.
GIVING THANKS AND PRAISE has special significance for the believer, but it doesn't always come naturally. It does, though, "develop a bond of friendship" and helps us to "pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ".
"PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING open up our hearts and cause JOY to well up in OUR SPIRITS. We can now open up the doors into His courts and into His presence." Max Lucado
BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS - Read Verse 5
"God is GOOD and HIS LOVE ENDURES FORVER" Psalm 100:5a (NIV)
"The Lord is GOOD. His LOVE IS FOREVER." Psalm 100:5a (NCV)
God is a the ONE AND ONLY Creator and Sovereign Lord. His commands are for OUR GOOD and He has "loving motives in every word and deed".
LOVINGKINDNESS has many meanings - MERCY, KINDNESS, EVERLASTING LOVE AND GOODESS. His GRACE came through:
1. His covenant promise given through Moses to His people, requiring obedience and committment.
2. No greater love through Jesus Himself, who gave His life for us.
3. The salvation and freedom we now have
"Praise the Lord who has given rest to His people Israel just as He promised. Not one WORD HAS FAILED ALL HIS WONDERFUL PROMISES He gave through His servant Moses."1 King 8:56
"For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD that He gave His only son, that whoever believed in Him, will not perish, but will have everlasting life." John 3:16
"I mean that you have been SAVED BY GRACE through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a GIFT FROM GOD." Ephesians 2:8
"HIS FAITHFULNESS continues to all generations." Psalm 100:5b (NIV)
"HIS LOYALTY goes on and on." Psalm 100:5b (NCV)
Our God is fair and FAITHFUL, but not only to us, He was also "faithful to our ancestors", and will also be "faithful to our children and grandchildren"in the future. The PROMISES IN HIS WORD apply throughout "time", to all people! "He never changes and is consistently faithful"!"
"For the Word of the Lord HOLDS TRUE and we can TRUST everything He does."
Psalm 33:4 (NLT)
"Thank you Lord that you are unchanging and because of your FAITHFUL PROMISES, we can always COUNT ON YOU." Charles Swindoll
"Understand therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the FAITHFUL GOD who keeps His covenant to all generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commandments". Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT)
"The FAITHFUL LOVE OF THE LORD never ends. His mercies never cease. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS, His mercies begin afresh every morning." Lamentations 3:22&23 (NLT)
CONCLUSION
At some time in our life we have to decide what is "our highest joy". Are we going to live life based om POSSESSIONS OR EXPERIENCES or will we live like the CHARACTER OF GOD. Jesus tells us that the "highest joy" should be to "see God" and to "trust Him".
Our God is FAITHFUL, LOVING, MERCIFUL, KIND AND GOOD. We too need to be like Him and t WORSHIP and PRAISE HIM. We need to be a witness and encouragement to others.
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the HOPE WE AFFIRM, for GOD CAN BE TRUSTED TO KEEP HIS PROMISES." Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
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Lucado, Max, "The Devotional Bible - Experiencing a Heart of Jesus", 2003, Thomas Nelson
Swindoll, Charles, "Living the Psalms - Encouragement for the Daily Grind", 2012, Worthy Publishers
Wiersbe, Warren, "Live Like a King", 1983, Moody Press
Heavenly Worship, "What a Faithful God Am I", 2014, YouTube
Moen, Don, "God is Good all the Time", 1995, YouTube: DonMoenTV
Redman, Matt, "Heart of Worship", 2009, https/www.youtube.com
Smith, Henry. "Give Thanks" 1978, Integrity, Hosanna Music (youtube:DonMoenTV)
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