A Thankful Heart…
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Psalm 100:4). What do people do without the Lord? How do people survive when the rains pour down on them, when the winds blow across them, and when the floods rise around them? How can any make it a single second without divine intervention from God? He alone is the high tower, the buckler of the wall, and the fire of altars. Look to Him in total trust with a thankful heart.
What we have has come from Him. What we do is for Him. What we are is because of Him. What we become is the will of God conforming us into the image of His Son. From rags to riches, from a downward path to hell to a narrow path to heaven, from a hut to a mansion, from fear to peace, and from a bum to a son, happens because of the miracle of regeneration. I have repented, confessed my sin, and have trusted the Gospel. I am and will be forever in His presence with a thankful heart.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands (Psalm 100:1). A thankful heart is not one of sounding brass and tinkling cymbal, but one that is full of joy and of loud noise. You may have just received discouraging news that brought both tears and cares to the outward surface, but inside there is a joy that bubbles like the constant beat of the heart. If you have a thankful heart, someone will get an ear full of you being in the house.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing (Psalm 100:2). A thankful heart is one of worship and praise. Your kind of worship maybe the lifting of your hands, it may be tears quietly flowing from your eyes, or it may be bowing upon your knees. It flows naturally as a river through deep futile valleys or through dry, deserted deserts. All that he has done will produce an activity of gladness with a song in your soul and spirit. There is always a hum in a thankful heart as one goes about the work of God.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). What we are, and who we are, is settled in a thankful heart of repose. You are the ongoing work of God that is full of his purpose and His pleasure. Your head has the mind of Christ, your height is of His design, and your heart is pumping with life for His glory. Thank Him for making you fit for Him.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Psalm 100:4). A thankful heart is never without gratefulness and applause. If one is alive, there is movement and there is a mission. Put your hands together and bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations (Psalm 100:5). A thankful heart is always aware of the Lord and His promise. God is good all the time, His help is available anytime, and His Word will last to the end of time. Where God guides, He will always provide. This is better than money in the bank!
It seems to me…the heart of the matter means nothing without a thankful heart