Gates & Courts/Thanks & Praise

Whenever we took the boys on vacation or someplace around town, part of the preparation and cause for excitement was finding out about the place.  Whether it was the zoo, miniature golf, Water World, the Alamo, Texas State Capitol, Sea World, Disney World, or a museum, the more they knew about the place in advance, the more they anticipated the visit.  If there were books, brochures, or maps, that was even better.  Hours were spent learning about the place, deciding what to do first, and mapping out what would be next.

 

 The day of the trip would finally arrive.  One of the first things we usually did was take a picture of the boys standing in front of the place we were visiting.  Then we entered the gates to begin the great adventure.  It was exciting to plan for the trip and even take the picture at the entrance, but I don’t think any of us would have been content to leave once we had entered the gate and saw that there was more to do and see.  Even though the planning and traveling were important in the process, the real experience began once we had walked through the gate at the entrance and into the park or attraction.

 

You know how you can read the same scriptures in the Bible over and over again and all of a sudden it has new meaning for you.  A few years ago that happened to me with Psalm 100.  That is a chapter I had memorized during my elementary years during Vacation Bible School and have heard and read many, many times since then.  But this time something caused me to pause when I read verse 4.

 

Psalm 100:4

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

 

When I thank God for what he does and provides, I’m invited to enter his gates.   And it’s when I praise God for who he is that I’m invited to enter into his courts.  The adventure continues as I experience a relationship with God and seek his purpose for my life.  Thankfully, that’s something I can do every day and not just on vacation.