Thanks and Praise

When visiting a new destination or participating in a new activity or event, there tends to be much anticipation and excitement.  When we took the boys to a new place, they would want to know what there was to do, what they could expect to see, and how long we would stay.  If there was a book, a map, or brochure, they would spend hours learning about the place or event, and mapping out where to go and in what order.  As the day of the event approached, the amount of energy and excitement rose and gratitude was expressed.

If we would have arrived at our destination, let the boys get out of the car, stand inside the gate to see how much they could see or recognize, and then say it was time to get back in the car, they would not have experienced the full benefit of the outing.  They definitely would have wanted more and not been happy campers if we left without actually enjoying the event.  It’s only when they were allowed to go beyond the gate that the adventure began.

Besides being thankful, we also need to be intentional about praising God for who He is.  Psalm 100:4 reminds us that we enter God’s gates when we are thankful, but we are invited into his courts when we praise him.  It’s one thing to enter His gate, but it’s when we are invited into His courts that we celebrate relationship and fellowship.

May this season become a lifestyle as our mind’s attention and heart’s affection remind us to daily offer God our thanks and praise for what He does and who He is.

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1 Chronicles 16:8-9

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the

name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 7:17

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

Psalm 18:49

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

Psalm 100:4

Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.

Psalm 113:2

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150:6