Entering His Courts with Praise

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His Name."  Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

You have an open invitation to the courts of the King of Kings!  Just ponder that a moment!  God longs for your presence.  There's no need for an RSVP.  He just says, "Come."  Anytime...anywhere.  "Come" when times are good.  Rejoice in Him and with Him!  "Come" when times are bad.  Remember, He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30  Just "Come."

And how should we come??  Psalm 100 gives us some instruction.  "Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth.  Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the LORD is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His Name.  For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

There's an old Sandy Patti song called "Let There Be Praise" that says, "He inhabits the praise of His people and dwells deep within.  The peace that He gives none can equal.  His love it knows no end....When the Spirit of God is within us, we will overcome.  In our weakness His strength will defend us, when His praise is on our tongue."  He desires to inhabit your very being.  He longs to dwell with you!

Whether the praise comes easy...or whether it's a struggle to find it somewhere in the depths of your being, just start singing.  We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  He is good.  His love endures forever.  His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Let's enter His courts with praise.

Lord, Your love and compassion are beyond our comprehension.  We thank You for unfailing, unending love.  You are great!  We praise you!  Keep your songs of praise on our tongues today.