Folks said there were high mountains out yonder with snow on them, and forests no man had ever seen… Maybe even find a place for himself where he could feel the cool winds and look at distance.”
–Louis L’Amour (“Bowdrie Passes Through”)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
–James 1:17 (NKJV)
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“God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the art of worship.”
–A. W. Tozer
In worship we ascribe all the glory that is due His name. It must be done in humility recognizing the character of God. Thankfulness and gratitude is involved. Psalm 100 is a psalm of worship, of gratitude.
1 — Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 — Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 — Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 — Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 — For the LORD is good; and His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)
This is a psalm to summon you out of grief and sorrow. It is not a dirge, but a psalm of joy. It is a psalm to get you out of the slough of despair, depressions, and despondency, not one of lamentations. Lawson describes the “shout” as one of loyalty given by a servant to the king. It is a call of allegiance to the whole world. Now, then worship the Lord with gladness, with joy. Note the term “serve”–it means that we serve God with our worship or that we worship God with our serving recognizing Whom we are really serving.
George O. Wood says that there are four reasons for joy found in this Psalm.
1) The Lord is God — Our personal world is based on His reality. “We have a floor of hope, a foundation of sureness. No matter where we are in life, the Lord reigns.
2) He made you — God never does anything without purpose. Remember, making you is not just at birth, but will continue throughout your life.
3) You are His — God’s possession; part of His family.
4) You belong to God’s community — You are not a solitary soul wandering through life.
Know then, that you are God’s. He watches over you, He cares for you, He is developing you. Isn’t that a reason for joy? “When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.” (Franz Joseph Haydn).
Authentic praise and worship should be permeated with much thanksgiving. Recall the abundant blessings that come from God. Look to Him with adoration and gratitude. “Live under the constant theme of gratitude to God” (Lawson). Why then should we worship? Because of who God is, and because of what this psalm states–“the Lord is good”! Wood puts it into perspective, “When our hearts fill up with the contemplation of the Lord and His watchful care over us, thanksgiving rather than complaint or confusion expresses itself from our hearts. Often when you are in pain, you become overly focused on realities outside you.” Come then, each morning to visit the Lord. Fill your heart with thanksgiving for His truth, His lovingkindness, endures and continues to all generations.
One more thought. Could this be a glimpse into the great banquet that is to take place at the “Marriage Supper”? Singing, shouting, laughing, merriment–thanking the Lord and praising Him. The earth is invited to respond; He has taken care of everything, all you have to do is show up. Do not slight the mercy of the Lord.
“For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.”
–William Kethe
———————————-
“God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the art of worship.”
–A. W. Tozer
In worship we ascribe all the glory that is due His name. It must be done in humility recognizing the character of God. Thankfulness and gratitude is involved. Psalm 100 is a psalm of worship, of gratitude.
1 — Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 — Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 — Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 — Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 — For the LORD is good; and His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)
This is a psalm to summon you out of grief and sorrow. It is not a dirge, but a psalm of joy. It is a psalm to get you out of the slough of despair, depressions, and despondency, not one of lamentations. Lawson describes the “shout” as one of loyalty given by a servant to the king. It is a call of allegiance to the whole world. Now, then worship the Lord with gladness, with joy. Note the term “serve”–it means that we serve God with our worship or that we worship God with our serving recognizing Whom we are really serving.
George O. Wood says that there are four reasons for joy found in this Psalm.
1) The Lord is God — Our personal world is based on His reality. “We have a floor of hope, a foundation of sureness. No matter where we are in life, the Lord reigns.
2) He made you — God never does anything without purpose. Remember, making you is not just at birth, but will continue throughout your life.
3) You are His — God’s possession; part of His family.
4) You belong to God’s community — You are not a solitary soul wandering through life.
Know then, that you are God’s. He watches over you, He cares for you, He is developing you. Isn’t that a reason for joy? “When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.” (Franz Joseph Haydn).
Authentic praise and worship should be permeated with much thanksgiving. Recall the abundant blessings that come from God. Look to Him with adoration and gratitude. “Live under the constant theme of gratitude to God” (Lawson). Why then should we worship? Because of who God is, and because of what this psalm states–“the Lord is good”! Wood puts it into perspective, “When our hearts fill up with the contemplation of the Lord and His watchful care over us, thanksgiving rather than complaint or confusion expresses itself from our hearts. Often when you are in pain, you become overly focused on realities outside you.” Come then, each morning to visit the Lord. Fill your heart with thanksgiving for His truth, His lovingkindness, endures and continues to all generations.
One more thought. Could this be a glimpse into the great banquet that is to take place at the “Marriage Supper”? Singing, shouting, laughing, merriment–thanking the Lord and praising Him. The earth is invited to respond; He has taken care of everything, all you have to do is show up. Do not slight the mercy of the Lord.
“For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.”
–William Kethe