Access!

Access!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4 NIV

The Context and Focus:

Nothing is said about the writer of this psalm, but its message has been the subject of quite a lot of sermons over the past few years. The entire psalm is titled: ' a psalm, for giving grateful praise'. I am not sure that there can be a better way to describe this psalm than this way. The psalm starts with a word of encouragement to all of us in the world to burst out in song and praise to God. We are all enjoined to shout, to worship and to come before the Lord with the right heart. All of the words used above connote an action word, which would mean that God demands a response from me. I cannot just make a claim that I love God; my life's actions and decisions would show that indeed, I love God. This love for God then charges me to seek Hiim at all times, as it is in seeking Him that my life's purpose can be defined, discovered and delivered. In seeking God, there is a prescribed way. This is not a God you can treat as a servant or slave, but one you must know and acknowledge as Saviour, Master and friend, all at once. 

The Message:

For as many as would seek to approach God this way, please note that God has principles that define and describe the basis and manner of approach. For the people of old in Israel, they seemed to have a healthy fear of God. They were careful to follow all the rules that governed the way they worshipped, the way they had to offer sacrifices, and the way they generally lived. The High Priest of the nation was tasked with offering sacrifices for the people, but he could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Any more than that was certain death. This is the same God we are called to approach. Ananaias and Sapphira, husband and wife, agreed to lie to the Holy Spirit, and we know how the story ended for them. Same God. We read of Pharaoh, who dared disobey God, and the consequences are still there today. Same God. David coveted a man's wife, one who was a soldier fighting for him, and then murdered him. Yet, God knew what David would do in the future, yet he made him king, and established an eternal covenant of kingship with David. Same God. 

The Conclusion:

It is obvious that this is a God who desires fellowship with his creation. He wants me to come to Him, no matter the baggage of the past. There is a recommended key to give me access, and the key is thanksgiving and praise. Both are important, because they flow out of a heart that knows who God is, what he has done, and what he has in store for all who come to Him. When you know God this way, you do not need to be compelled to praise or thank God; these will flow naturally out of your heart. In the old temple, there was a gate for access, but there was also an inner court. Thanksgiving gives you access through the gate, and praises get you through the inner court to the place where God sits. When I praise God, he rises to bless me. When I praise him, he makes my life a joy. When I thank him continuously, he will even do more. He knows that I am not just thanking Him for what I can get. I am, because He is. I have, because He is. I will get there, simply because God is eternal. Would you also learn the key to access all that God is? He waits. God's time of favour is here.