Thanks Living Is Better Than Thanksgiving

Psalm 100 is a well known psalm, probably second only in popularity to Psalm 23. It emphasizes the universal nature of God’s kingship and is a benediction to that series of psalms (Psalms 93,95-100) which are devoted to the Lord’s kingdom rule during the Millennium. Most of it is a call to praise and thanksgiving.

Thanking the Lord, however, is something we must do with our lives as well as with our lips. How shall we do it?

  1. BY SERVING – “Serve the LORD with gladness…” (Psalm 100:2a).

“Enter to worship – Depart to serve” should be written clearly above the door to the church auditorium. Too many people serve themselves and not the Lord, and too often we do not serve the Lord “with gladness.” The Lord loves a cheerful servant!

  1. BY SUBMITTING – “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).

As creatures, we submit to the Creator who made us. As sheep, we submit to the Shepherd Who died for us and now leads us in His paths. He not only “made” us – but He “is making us” as we yield to Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

  1. BY SACRIFICING – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5).

As believer-priests, we are privileged to offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5). These spiritual sacrifices include our songs and expressions of praise as well as our good works and our giving. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Because of Who God is (v. 5) and what He does for us, He is certainly worthy of not just our thanksgiving, but also our thanks living. Let us live for Him and give Him joyful thanks!