Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
Thanksgiving.
I’m much more likely to enter His gates with the exhaustion of a poor night’s sleep
With aggravation at the empty gas tank
With distraction by that appointment tomorrow
With hurt over a stray remark
With concern over a test result
With the burden of an unexpected expense
Than I am with thanksgiving.
When I enter His courts,
I expect my mood to be lifted,
My grievances validated,
And my problems solved.
In short, I expect it to be about me.
Sincere thanksgiving changes that.
Thanksgiving is a practice, not an event.
When I practice it, then I find I’m able to enter His courts with praise.
With gratefulness for His shelter
With thankfulness for His provision
With security because of His sovereignty
Bless His name.