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Thankful Reflections
The 100th Psalm has always been a favorite of mine. Maybe it is my favorite because it was one of the shorter psalms I had to memorize as a child. My favorite verse is the fifth:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name! (Psalm 100:5)
As I approach the new year and reflect on the past year this psalm reminds me that I have a great deal to be thankful for. Beyond the trite and typical thankfulness for family, health, job and home there are three things that come to mind that I am thankful for.
I’m thankful that I can enter God’s gates.
In the time that David penned this psalm all important cities were walled. The gates were a part of the walled fortification that surrounded the city and protected it against the enemies that lurked outside. Access to the city was controlled through the gates. Only those with permission could enter through the gates and into the city. Those inside the gates were assured of protection.
In the same way, those of us who enter God’s gates are assured of His protection. Our obedience to God, our willingness to bend our will to His and His mercy towards us grants us permission to go through His gates.
But we know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him. (1 John 5:18)
I’m thankful that I can enter God’s courts.
Once you are through the gates of a walled city in antiquity, you will find the king’s dwelling place in the center of the city. The king’s court was often a palace where the king ruled and judged public matters. People who came to the king’s court came seeking justice or a gift of some kind like a new position, a promotion, permission to do something.
Unlike the typical king’s court, in God’s court you can always find righteous judgment and God freely gives to all who asks.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)
As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9)
I’m thankful that I can bless God’s name.
The Greek word for “bless” is eneulogéō. The practical meaning is: to speak well of. By extension then, blessing God’s name, speaking well of God, implies praising Him. Praise extends beyond merely giving thanks or expressing thanksgiving. Praise involves veneration, admiration, exaltation, expressed approval. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that God should be blessed. Some are so beat down by the evils of the world that they do not see or feel God’s goodness.
I am so thankful that through his mercy my eyes have been opened so that I can bless his name.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
As you reflect back on last year and think forward to the new year, I hope that you too will give thanks to Him and bless His name.
