“Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4
give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4
Happy Thanksgiving!
A heart of genuine thanksgiving and praise ushers us across His threshold so we can dwell in the Lord’s presence throughout the day. As we seek to abide in Him, our thankful hearts prepare the way for us. With a grateful and reverent posture before the Lord, we can expect to hear His still, small voice and sense His presence. “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 (NIV)
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:7 (KJV) Genuine thankfulness flows from a humble and reverent heart before the Lord. As we go to Him with gratitude and acknowledging Him in all things, our hearts are postured to receive direction from Him. Then, as we commune with Him from the depths of our hearts throughout the day, we can bring Him our petitions, our fears and our struggles. With the humility of thankfulness as a backdrop, our hearts are poised reverently before Him. He will guide us and lead us. “I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.” Ecc. 8:12
When my children approach me with a humble and thankful heart, it is much easier for me to talk with them, rejoice with them, pray with them and guide them. Their hearts are ready. But when they are being selfish, stubborn, prideful and entitled, they don’t hear and are not ready for my instruction and help. The condition of their heart is key to our communication.
It is the same with us and our Heavenly Father, who loves His children perfectly. When our hearts are right before Him, He can minister His Truth to us and reason with us. He can encourage and equip us. He can commune with us. “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23 (NIV)
Let’s make it routine not just to count our blessings, but to continually give thanks to God for them. To acknowledge Him in all our ways. To bow before Him with sincerity, thankfulness and reverence. We will dwell in His presence, commune with Him and receive His encouragement and love. Then we’ll have “sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” Col. 3:22 (NIV)
Gracious Father, You are the giver of all good things. By Your grace, keep my heart poised humbly before You in sincerity, reverence and thankfulness. I want to enter your courts with praise in my heart. Usher me in with a thankful heart. Remind me to acknowledge You in all of my ways. Thank you for loving me perfectly and for Your redemption. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What are YOU thanking Him for this Thanksgiving season?
I am thankful for my Redeemer, my family and my friends. I am thankful for His truth and faithfulness. I am also thankful for my friend, Rachel Olsen, who is sharing this post on her blog. 🙂
(This post was originally posted on 11/24/08.)
(This post was originally posted on 11/24/08.)
“Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”
Isaiah 51:3 (NIV)
Isaiah 51:3 (NIV)
“I will praise God’s name in song and
glorify Him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 69:30
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.”
Psalm 29:2
AMEN!
Oh do I love this post!
I pray more people come to the feet of our King and worship Him this week for all that He has done for us already. Not to mention what He does 24/7 365 without wanting anything in return but our hearts sold out for Him!
Big hugs and loved your last post about heart and soul!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Jill
Beautiful post Sharon. I love the comparrison to our children’s hearts when they approach us.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Amen Sister.
You know this morning I opened your blog and left it open and listened to your music as I visited the other blogs. This is a FIRST for me ever. I usually slam the musical ones shut. Just soothing here. Thanks.