Entering with Thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4)

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)

 Today, we gather to reflect on a simple yet profound verse from Psalm 100, a song of joy and gratitude that calls us to approach God with hearts full of thanksgiving. This verse, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name,” is not just a poetic line but an invitation—a roadmap for how we are to come into God’s presence and live lives that honor Him. 

 Let’s begin by picturing the scene the psalmist paints. In ancient Israel, the gates and courts referred to the temple, the sacred place where God’s people met with Him. To enter those gates was no small thing—it was an act of worship, a moment of connection with the Creator. But the psalmist doesn’t say to come with fear, or with heavy burdens, or even with perfect lives. No, we are to come with thanksgiving and praise. Why? Because gratitude is the posture of a heart that recognizes who God is and what He has done.

 Thanksgiving is more than saying “thank you” for a good meal or a sunny day. It’s an attitude, a way of seeing the world through the lens of God’s goodness. When we enter His gates with thanksgiving, we’re acknowledging that every breath we take, every moment of grace, every provision, and even every challenge is held in His loving hands. The apostle Paul echoes this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, urging us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude doesn’t deny life’s hardships; it reframes them in light of God’s faithfulness.

 Let me ask you: When you come to God—whether in prayer, worship, or even in the quiet moments of your day—how do you approach Him? Are you weighed down by complaints or worries? Or do you come with a heart ready to say, “Lord, I don’t understand everything, but I trust You, and I’m thankful for Your presence”? Psalm 100:4 reminds us that thanksgiving is the key that opens the gate to deeper communion with God. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we’ve been given.And then the psalmist adds, “and his courts with praise.” Praise flows naturally from a thankful heart. When we’re grateful, we can’t help but proclaim God’s greatness. Praising His name isn’t just singing a hymn—though that’s a beautiful expression of it. It’s living in a way that declares His worth to the world. It’s showing kindness to a neighbor, forgiving someone who’s hurt you, or sharing the hope of Christ with someone who’s lost. When we praise God’s name, we become living testimonies of His love.

 Let’s make this practical. Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, try starting your day with Psalm 100:4. Before you check your phone or dive into your to-do list, pause and say, “Lord, I enter this day with thanksgiving. Thank You for Your mercy, Your strength, and Your promises.” Name three things you’re grateful for—big or small. Maybe it’s the warmth of your home, the laughter of a child, or the fact that God’s grace is new every morning. Then, carry that gratitude into your interactions. Let it shape how you speak, how you listen, how you love.

 As a community, let’s be known as people who enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. In a world that often dwells on what’s wrong, let’s be a light that points to what’s right—God’s unchanging goodness. When we do, we fulfill the psalmist’s call to “give thanks to him and praise his name.” We become a chorus of gratitude, drawing others to the God who is worthy of all praise. 

 So today, as we leave this place, let’s commit to living Psalm 100:4. Let’s enter every moment with thanksgiving, fill every space with praise, and honor God’s name with lives that reflect His love. May our gratitude be contagious, and may our praise rise like incense to the One who is faithful forever. Amen.

 DMMc 6-1-2025