Giving Thanks – The Thanksgiving Way Series

The second action the psalmist calls us to is:

2. Thanksgiving Is About SERVICE – (SERVE)

Look at what verse two tells us:

“Serve the LORD with gladness.” Psalm 100:2 (NASV)

The Bible proclaims that one of God’s deepest desires is to have His people serve Him:

"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deu 10:13 (NASV)

God has always asked His people to serve Him. God told Pharaoh:

"Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” Exodus 7:16 (NASV)

Jesus said we are to make service to God a priority in our lives:

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Mat 6:24 (NASV)

Who or what we serve shows where our priorities are. I have heard it said:

If we are created, He is the Creator.

If we are sheep, He is our Shepherd.

If we enter His courts, He is our King.

If we serve Him, He is our Master.

But notice that God wants more than just us serving Him – He wants us to serve Him with “gladness”. We should consider it an honor and a privilege to serve Him. We should count it a joy to be able to serve the Lord. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords – to be in His presence would be an honor and a trill. I am sure that in the white house those who serve there are screened and only the best are selected. What an honor it would be to be on the staff of the white house. How much more of an honor it should be for us to serve God – for He who is above all things has called us to enter His presence and serve Him. Should we not serve Him with joy and gladness?

Number three:

3. Thanksgiving Is About A JOURNEY – (COME)

In the second part verse two it says:

“Come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2 (NASV)

Giving thanks to God has never been stationary or static. There is to be movement between those who are giving thanks and the One who is receiving thanks. That is why the psalmist tells us to “come”. An invitation has been offered. A door has been opened. We are to enter His presence with a song of joy on our hearts. Sing to the Lord a new song – tell Him how thankful you are for all the blessings He has given you. Thanksgiving is an invitation from the One we are to thank. Should we be surprised at this when Jesus said:

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NASV)

Or:

"I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11 (NASV)

God has given us great blessing – our response should be movement - it should be traveling – coming before Him – with joyful singing – thanking Him for all He has done.

Let me give you a little insight at this point – coming before Him does not mean that you have to leave the physical location that you find yourself at – but it does mean leaving behind your self-sufficiency and your pride. “Come” means making God – God. "Come" means acknowledging that you are dependent on Him for all the good things that have come your way. The Bible says: