11/22/12- Give Thanks to the Lord

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)

(The pilgrims give thanks)

Thoughts: Thanksgiving is important and encouraged here.  In fact, this is almost a cheerleader Psalm revving us up to praise God.  Here we see a main purpose in worship- it is because we are thankful and that God is worthy of our praise and thanks.  This Psalm gives us a few main reasons why we should worship and be thankful:

1) He made us- 

2) We are His own children. 

3) God is good

4) God's love doesn't fade but lasts. 

5) God is faithful in each time to each generation. 

We are not alone- He is the shepherd whose eye is on the sheep.  God is the faithful shepherd who will not fail us, but provides for us, leads us, guides us, heals us, protects us.  He is worthy of our thanks and praise.
We do not speak only to ourselves.  We give thanks not simply to each other- but ultimately to the One who made all we see, and cares for us. 

Prayer: This thanksgiving- this day- I praise you, O Lord.  You are worthy of my thanks- not just for health, family, and food, but because of who you are.  Thanks be to you, O Lord!