Praise!

 Psalm 100:4 ESV

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!


How is it that we can enter the 'pearly gates' of the  heavenly city? Only by the grace of God. There's no room for patting ourselves on the back.

Instead of being all self congratulatory, we are to be filled with thanksgiving to the God of our salvation. It's by the cross of Christ that we can enter his presence with great joy. Eternity isn't long enough to give God the praise he deserves!

This verse gives a hint as to why Jesus so angrily drove out the moneychangers and market traders in what was meant to be the Gentile court of God's temple. The house of God was meant to be a house of prayer for all nations. It had been turned into a den of thieves.

That even Gentiles like me can enter into the presence of the God of Israel is a great mercy. There's no room for any entitlement in the kingdom of God. Even Christ's Jewish followers are to be humbly grateful.

'Dear Lord, we're so grateful for the fact we can boldly approach you because of your work on our behalf. May we do so with thankfulness and praise, for the honour of your great name, amen'.



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