Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 100:4 NIV
Enter His Gates
Many immigrants enter Canada these days in many different ways. It has been so for centuries. There are a number of reports of contact made before Columbus between the first peoples and those from other continents. The case of Viking contact is supported by the remains of a Viking settlement in L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. The presence of Basque cod fishermen and whalers a few years after Columbus has also been cited, with at least nine fishing outposts having been established on Labrador and Newfoundland.
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On a number of occasions over the past couple of decades, I’ve been invited to visit refugee camps, schools, and remote villages in Africa. Upon arrival we are met with a Palm-Sunday-like parade. In typical African style, filled with great joy and lots of singing, surrounded by people, we are led to the meeting area. I don’t know anywhere else where there is such a great welcome. That is the sense in David’s celebration of entering into God’s presence in worship. In Psalm 100:4 we read, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” What a privilege it is to be welcomed into the presence of our Creator God. No wonder there is great celebration. God invites us to come to Him. Imagine, our Creator longs for a relationship with Him. He resides in the midst of our joy, our worship, our praise. I pray that your worship never becomes ho-hum. When we enter into God’s presence, there should always be thanksgiving, praise, and joy. Take time today to worship the Lord, in song, in prayer, in His word. And let it all be filled with thanksgiving and praise.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley