“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” – Psalm 100:1 (NLT)
Knowing that the Lord is God is a reason for having an attitude of gratitude. It is He who made us, and we are His, as Psalm 100:1-5 reminds us.
When the children of Israel brought their ‘thank-you’ offering to God (Leviticus 7:11-15), they were bringing it to the Great Creator God who made everything that is on the earth – they are His. It was the Creator’s right to possess them, and He did in the most gracious ways, yet they were encouraged to bring a thanksgiving offering.
We must remember that God is our Creator; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creators and centres of their own little world. This mindset leads to greed, and if everything is taken away, hope itself is lost, since they trusted in themselves. But when we realise that God created us and gives us all we have, we will want to give to others as God gave to us (2 Corinthians 9:8). Then, even if all is lost, we still have God and all He gives us.
Friends, praise makes all the difference. Living life with a heart of gratitude for who God is and what He has done for us lifts our burdens and causes us to see everything in a different light. He alone is worthy of being worshipped.
What is your attitude toward worship? Do you willingly and joyfully come into His presence, or are you just going through the motions, reluctantly going to church? Psalm 100 tells us to remember God’s goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise!
Each moment that we are given is a precious gift from God; choose to have a thankful attitude and live each moment filled with joy…simply because God is good.
Prayer
Lord, help us to always recognise Your goodness and mercies in our lives. Teach us to maintain an attitude of gratitude and to continuously honour You with our praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 7:17; Colossians 4:2
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 64; John 11:1-44; 1 Samuel 2:27-36; 1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4