Upper Loft Meditation - Psalm 100

“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.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” - Psalm 100:3-5

 

This is a Psalm of exhortation to those who believe in God.  It is a call to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving.  We do not sneak into God’s presence through a back door, nor do we timidly saunter into his presence chit-chatting about our own trivial sound bites.  We belong in His presence.  As Doug Goins points out, we are to be “noisy sheep!”  Our noise is not to be about us, but about Him.

 

Why should we be shouting His praises?

1. The Lord is God.  There is no other.  He is the maker of heaven and earth.  All things are under His power and authority.  All things were created for the praise of His glory.
2. He has made us and we are His family!
3. He has rescued us from sin and death and clothed us in the righteousness of His son Jesus so that we may enter and live in His presence for eternity.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to the praise and hallelujahs of the crowd.  For us it is the beginning of Holy Week, the week we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  How will you celebrate this world changing event?  Like a lamb being led to the slaughter house or a lamb carried in the Shepherd’s arms back to His family?  (Matthew 18:13)

 

Hallelujah, the Lord has come!  Be noisy sheep for His praise.