Psalm 100 is a climactic expression of thanksgiving. David tells us to acknowledge that the Lord is God. How can we do that? We acknowledge him when we shout and sing our praises, appreciate his status as our creator, accept his authority in every detail of life, enthusiastically agree with the guidance he gives us, and express our thanks for his unfailing love.
God created us; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. They choose their own lifestyles, determine their own boundaries, and decide their own values. This mind-set leads to pride, self-glorification, greed, and idolatry. But if everything were taken away, they would lose hope itself. When we realize that God created us and gives us all we have, we will want to give to others as God has given to us. Then, even if all is lost, we still have God and all he provides.
God created us, we belong to him. We find joy in the relationship because the Creator God is our good, loving Shepherd. God by creating the world, established his power and authority to rule it. This calls for our praise.
God is the Creator who spoke our world into existence. He has total control over the chaotic waters out of which he called forth the land – heights and depths – land and sea. Thus he rules all, and we respond naturally in humble worship. We need not fear any part of his creation. We need only fear the Lord, that is, revere and worship him.
We have to worship God as a Church — God’s Community – God’s people have abundant reasons to praise him. This verse 3 gives three reasons.
1. The Lord is God. He alone created the universe and is, therefore, Lord of creation.
2. God made us in his image. We are not our own makers.
3. God shepherds his people. He is involved intimately in the lives of his people. God’s people are thus a worshiping, praising and thanksgiving community.
Thanksgiving — Thanksgiving is a vital part of the community’s coming together in God’s house for worship. We should enter his presence with thanksgiving reverence and submission. The call to worship is a vital prayer in the congregation’s worship. It calls for worship and obedience. Its speech to the congregation is at the same time prayer to God.
Praise — God’s word, God’s character, God’s creation, and God’s rule are compelling reasons to join the congregation in thanksgiving and praise. Music and singing are ways to praise God. God’s unfailing covenant love is the overriding basis for all human praise. Praise includes a call to the congregation and community to join in praise for God’s creation, His mercy and faithfulness.
Faithfulness — God’s faithfulness is more than an abstract characteristic. Faithfulness finds expression in action. God’s acts have a purpose. They carry out his dependable promises. God is not fickle. His good, loving faithfulness and Sovereignty remains the same forever. We can count on him.
Sovereignty — The sovereignty of God, his authority and power to rule over the world and achieve his purposes. He accomplishes his own plans for his creation. His sovereignty thus leads to salvation that he offers to his people.
Salvation — Blessing – God blesses the nation who owns him as Lord. This is his eternal plan to which he steadfastly commits himself. It means God’s basic work is to save a people for fellowship and worship with him.
Fellowship — Relationship to God – God, the Creator, is sovereign over all his creation, including every human. Any creature, whether great or small, is ultimately subservient to the Creator. Most remarkably, the sovereign God is defined by love, so he uses his sovereign knowledge and power for our good. He delivers us from sin, evil, and from all threatening forces, and allow us to receive his salvation and Justice.
Justice — God’s righteousness and justice are closely related ideas. His justice grows out of his righteousness. God’s strongest positive feeling, his love, goes out to everything that establishes what is right and just in this world.
Love — God’s love is basic to his character. No conflict exists between his love and righteousness in verse 5, they are virtually used as synonyms. Righteousness is the goal he loves to achieve in his world. His love is the goal his people seek justice, peace and joy in their distress.
The goal of society should be establishing right and justice because God loves and embodies these characteristics. The believer, in praise and worship, sees evidence of these divine qualities filling our world. God alone is worthy of being worshiped. What is your attitude toward worship? Do you willingly and joyfully come into God’s presence, or are you just going through the motions, reluctantly going to church? Has a recent disagreement left you fuming?
Doesn’t matter! Whatever circumstances you are facing in this moment or during this pandemic. Remember! this psalm 100 tells us to lay aside the cares of normal life and remember God’s goodness and dependability. This will change our attitudes and enable us to worship with thanksgiving and praise!
The climax to this series of praises of the Lord’s universal reign is a shout of joy. We praise him joyfully as God, Creator, and Shepherd. We give thanks because he is Sovereign, good, loving, and forever faithful. He is Just and our Redeemer gives us justice, love, joy, peace and Salvation. Because the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Praise the Lord and give thanks to him! Amen.
God Bless you all.
N Noel
