“I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.”
This chorus, based on Psalm 100:4 was a popular song in the ‘Scripture in Song’ book (in the 1980’s!) and I started unconsciously humming its jaunty tune as I thought about the word ‘thanksgiving’.
This Sunday is ‘Thanksgiving Sunday’ in our church. It is a time to pause and reflect, a time to acknowledge the many blessings our Heavenly Father has given us over the year. It is a time to be thankful for the challenges that have deepened our faith, for the trials that have demonstrated the presence of God and the love and support of his people. It is a time to be grateful, to rejoice in the life-giving moments, to have love and joy well up inside as we thank God for His loving faithfulness, in our lives, in our church, in our community.
The Message translation of Psalm 100:4 says:
‘Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him, worship him.
This version reminds us to keep it simple. Thank. Praise. Worship. Let’s remind ourselves of the ‘password’ as we gather to worship together. As we prepare our minds and hearts let’s reflect with thanksgiving –
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”. (Psalm 100:5)
Blessings,
Sarah