True Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

Give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100 is indeed a psalm of praise.  Thus, this passage of Scripture should be wholeheartedly looked to when considering what true thanksgiving to God is all about.
 

The Hebrew word for “shout” literally means, with an expression that can be easily heard, you are to shout for joy to the Lord.  Just as Norton Bluejay fans shout for joy when their hometown team makes a touchdown in a football game, Spirit-filled, born again Christians are to give a loud praise unto the Lord for His great works.  In all places of Christian service, whether in private, family or public worship He is to be given joyful praise.
 

The child of God who desires to give thanks to his Creator will give his heart, ears and mouth to songs that glorify the Lord.  God’s children know that He has created them; they belong to Him because Jesus purchased them with His life’s blood.  They have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and they will worship Him in spirit and truth.  They will enter into public worship for there is an agreement in their hearts with the psalmist David when he wrote, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1).  Gospel-worshipers are given an ordinance to be joyful worshipers for this is what brings communion with the Father, the Son and fellowship through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
 

The psalmist reminds us that the Lord is the only true living God.  His loves endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. 
 

People of this world worship gods created in their own minds and hearts.  A god is whatever gets the first fruits of your attention, your money and your extra time.           
 

Time for your checkup… what types of songs get your adoration, money and time?   Whose praises are constantly upon your lips?  How loud do you shout at ball games versus the exuberance of your praises to the Lord for His redemption, provision and continued faithfulness?  What keeps you away from Christian fellowship, church attendance, and quality Bible studies?  Does your life reflect true gladness in service to Jesus Christ?  The Bible says that true worship is “…offering your bodies as living sacrifices, holy, and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.”
 

Make this Thanksgiving season the time you begin expressing joyful praise to the Living God who created you!