Give Thanks
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:4-5
Advertisement
This psalm is a song of thanksgiving that God’s people used in the temple along with the sacrifices of praise they offered. The psalmist tells us to come into God’s presence with grateful hearts and expressions of thanksgiving because he is a good God—all the time— even when we are in difficult circumstances or think our prayers have not been answered yet. We express our gratitude because he is the creator of everything and we are his possession; and because his unfailing love continues forever and his faithfulness endures to every new generation. Perhaps Scripture reminds us so often, as in this psalm, to come to God with thanksgiving because we are so apt to forget his goodness and what he has already done for us or because we simply forget to say thank you. Today as you pray, begin by numbering some of the many blessings God has given you, and then thank him and bless his name. Enter his presence with words of praise on your lips and in your heart.
Prayers:
LORD, transform my heart and give me an attitude of gratefulness. Open my eyes to see your hand in every area of my life. When I have forgotten your goodness, remind me of what an awesome God you are and the myriad things I have to be thankful for. I thank you for your goodness, love, and faithfulness to me that you have shown in these ways you have blessed my life: ___________________, ___________________, ___________________.
Quotes:
The most important prayer in the world is just two words long: “Thank you.” —
Meister Eckhart (ca. 1260–ca. 1327)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Jeremiah 51:54–52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5 and Proverbs 26:18-19.
