Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” – Psalms 100:1 (ESV)
In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to lose sight of the meaning behind familiar verses. Psalms 100 has often been memorized and quoted because of its comforting and inviting message. Yet, when we skim over its meaning, we miss the profound impact it can have on our hearts and our worship.

Psalms 100 calls us to make a joyful noise—a loud, exuberant expression of adoration, and worship. There are indeed times for such exuberance, just as there are moments to approach God in stillness and quiet awe. Our worship shouldnever feel forced or simply an act of going through the motions. Instead, it should stem from deep joy and gratitude in our hearts.

Verse 4 of this beautiful Psalm guides us on how to approach God: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise!” Just imagine it—standing at the gates of heaven, ready to enter; your entrance is made possible by an attitude of gratitude. It’s about more than mere words; it’s about an authentic heart seeking God’s presence.

To illustrate this point, consider a scenario where you are in London, hoping to catch a glimpse of royalty. You stand outside a gate, waiting, yet there’s a wall that keeps you at a distance—the barrier is meant to protect the sovereign from the outside world. But this wall does not exist with God. Explain that He doesn’t keep us out; rather, He invites us in.
According to Matthew 27:51, when Jesus died on the cross, the veil separating us from God was torn in two, abolishing the barrier that kept us apart. The gates are wide open, allowing us free access to the Father through Jesus. This invitation to enter with gratitude and praise is a profound gift.

It’s essential to understand that gratitude and praise are not contingent upon our circumstances. Life can present trials that make it difficult to give thanks or praise God. During struggles, it can feel like an uphill battle to focus on God’s goodness. However, our praise should not be based on our circumstances but on who God is—our constant source of hope and strength.

Psalms 40:2-3 reminds us: “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” This is the truth we cling to, even amid life’s storms. When life becomes overwhelming, we can choose to lift our eyes to Him.
So today, stand firm, no matter what you are facing. Praise God in the middle of the storm. Thank Him for what is to come and exalt Him for who He is. Let your heart overflow with gratitude as you come before Him.

I encourage you to read Psalms 100 again. Slow down and truly focus on the weight of the words. Will you come into His presence today with an attitude of gratitude? Let that thankfulness fill your lips, drown out every worry, and ignite a lifestyle of praise.