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...