Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 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.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
How cool that God actually gave us a psalm for Thanksgiving in the Bible: Psalm 100!
This Psalm names some wonderful things to be thankful for and some ways to respond to God.
Things to be thankful for:
Know that the Lord is God (v.3)
When was the last time you really reflected on the fact that God is sovereign over everything? No matter what is going on in your life or the world, God is on His throne. His will and purposes will be accomplished. He is all-powerful too nothing can stop Him from accomplishing His will. Give thanks that God is omnipotent and in control!
It is he who made us, and we are his (v. 3)
God made each of us individually, thoughtfully, lovingly, artfully, purposefully. I am the person I am because He made me. I am not an accident of physics but the creation of a loving God. Not only am I “fearfully and wonderfully made” but He made me for Himself. Give thanks that you are a special creation who belongs to God!
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (v. 3)
Not only do we belong to Him, but he cares for us. Like a shepherd who tends his sheep, leading them t pasture and water, protecting them from predators, God leads and cares for us. Give thanks that you are under the watchful care of a faithful shepherd!
The Lord is good (v. 5)
God isn’t wishy-washy. He isn’t spiteful or capricious. He isn’t evil. He is holy and good. Because He is good, I know I can trust Him no matter what happens in my life. Because He is good, I know He will one day right injustice. Because He is good I know He will judge the wicked. Because He is good, He sent His Son to die for us while we were still in our sins. Give thanks that God is good!
his love endures forever (v. 5)
God’s love isn’t fickle. It doesn’t depend on my actions or response. God’s love is pure, unmerited grace. God demonstrate His great love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! God shows His love in many other ways, big and small, every day. Give thanks for God’s eternal love!
his faithfulness continues through all generations. (v. 5)
We are the fickle ones. How easily we turn to other things for joy and security. But not God. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:13, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.” God faithfulness is rooted in His very being, and enduring faithfulness because it is part of His immutable character. Give thanks for God’s enduring faithfulness!
Let’s sum up: There is a sovereign, all-powerful God of whom some eternal aspects of His character are goodness, love, and faithfulness. This good, loving, faithful God chose to make you. You belong to Him and He cares for you like a shepherd.
What is our response to this?
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
Our response is joyful worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God!
Our prayer for you is that this week the Lord will graciously fill your heart with thankfulness and joy for who He is and all He’s done for you. Let’s praise Him together!
Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Beacon Wealth!