September 29, 2020
Bible Reading – Psalm 100
Psalm 100:2,4 KJV
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
That God desires to spend time with me is one of the great mysteries and blessings of the Christian life. It is unfathomable that an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and purely holy God would even consider me, but His love toward us is immeasurable with human calculations and understandings.
The Psalmist had an in depth knowledge of walking with God, and we would do well to learn from his relationship with our precious Redeemer and Friend. Here in Psalm 100, practical yet powerful admonitions are given about approaching God. As we come before His presence we should do so with singing. Ephesians 5:18-20 informs us that singing spiritual songs and hymns is related to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Singing songs about the love of God, the grace and mercy of God, the power of God, and the cross, all have an affect on our spirits toward God as well as please God. How much easier is it to talk to our Friend after singing that Jesus Loves Even Me. How much more prepared and full of faith will we be to pray for that impossible miracle after singing, How Great Thou Art! Signing about Marvelous Grace both humbles and emboldens us to approach Him! Singing to God reminds us of Who He is and what He has done and can do. It prepares our spirits to pray, and God wants to hear us.
In the chapter, the Psalmist continues, teaching us that we should also enter His gates with Thanksgiving. The gates are a reference to the entrance of a city, while the courts are much nearer such as the courtyard of a private home. We come before His presence with singing, enter His gates with thanksgiving and come into His courts with praise. Especially after singing so many spiritual songs, it is easy to find things to thank God for. Once again, God wants our appreciation, and thankfulness also helps prepare me for prayer and Bible reading! It reminds me again of what God has done, strengthening my faith in what He can do again!
Finally, we enter His courts with praise. We draw ever near to Him. Psalm 22 teaches us that God inhabits praise. As we praise Him, we invite His presence, and remind ourselves that His understanding and power are infinite. Praising God for His power to create the universe, praising Him for His supreme love, praising Him for being faithful, and any other reason to praise Him, have affects on both God and us.
The opportunity to walk with God, is a privilege beyond comprehension. It is a wonderful relationship that should be intentional and constantly nurtured. While we may not always begin in the spirit of readiness and excitement, singing to God, thanking Him, and praising Him are all very practical ways to prepare for our time with Him! A few short minutes of Bible reading and prayer will turn into sweet minutes or even hours of fellowship, that will stay with us throughout our day.
Today, take some time to go for a walk. Sing to yourself songs like, How Great Thou Art I Need Thee Every Hour At the Cross Jesus Keep me Near the Cross Well With my Soul Marvelous Grace Any songs that move your soul in worship to God are great ways to start your day. Then take some time to write down and tell God what you are thankful for (family, church, food, health, home, clothes, salvation, freedom, heritage, spiritual leaders, etc.). Follow that up today with reasons to praise Him (His faithfulness, power, love, goodness, foreknowledge, wisdom, etc.). After all this, time in prayer and Bible reading will prayerfully have a greater impact in our day, and our relationship with God will be stronger! Doing all this on a walk surrounded by God’s creation is so helpful for the body, soul, and spirit!
— Eli Faulds