Entering His Gates
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." (NIV) Psalm 100:4
Back in 1995, my wife and I made our first trip to Memphis. We flew to Nashville and spent a few days there before driving to our destination. On the way into Memphis all of a sudden there was this large sign with a picture of Elvis and the words: Welcome to my world! This was the reason for our journey, and we began to grow more excited about heading to Graceland.
Psalm 100 describes for us the journey into praise. Travelling to enter God's house brings an emotional response in each of us. The Psalmist says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4).
Thanksgiving and praise go hand in hand. Worship comes because of who God is. God is good and He has poured His unfailing love on us. We are excited to bow before God in worship and adoration. We come to say thanks to Him for all the wonderful things of life and beyond. Even in the dark times, there is reason to be thankful for a loving and merciful God.
All the earth should shout with joy to the Lord (Psalm 100:1) and until that day happens those of us who are His children will continue to enter into praise growing more and more excited.