This year, our theme at Union is rooted in Christ, and this week, I’ve been thinking about the importance of worship and gratitude in being well-rooted in God's great love. God used these reflections to bring Psalm 100 to my mind.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
— Psalm 100 (NRSV)
Psalm 100 invites us into a jubilant worship! The Psalm opens with a call to the entire earth to make a joyful noise to the Lord. The Psalmist reminds us that worship is our exuberant response to God for who he is and what he's done for us. God is good, and we are invited to celebrate him.
This Psalm also reminds us of our identity: we belong to God, and he cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep. In a world that often offers mixed messages about our worth, this is a comforting reminder that our value is firmly rooted in being God's beloved. We are his, and we can trust him to care for us.
The Psalmist calls us to enter God's presence with thanksgiving. Many studies have shown that the intentional practice of gratitude is vital to our overall health and well being. When we make a habit of daily gratitude and thanksgiving, we begin to see just how faithful and present God is in every part of our lives.
Finally, Psalm 100 ends with a declaration of God's character: "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." No matter how much life changes, God's love and faithfulness never do. His goodness is constant, and we can always depend on him. God is an unshakable anchor of goodness and love in a world that can so easily feel chaotic and scattered.
So today, let's take a moment to respond to Psalm 100 in three simple ways:
Join me in making a joyful noise to the Lord right from where you are! Whether it's through singing, prayer, or shouting words of gratitude, let joy rise up in you and praise God out loud right where you are!
Next, as you get ready for bed tonight and see your reflection in the bathroom mirror, remind yourself that you are God's beloved! You belong to God, and he cares for you like a shepherd for his sheep. Let this truth guide your heart as you prepare to rest in his love.
Take a little time to reflect on your blessings tonight before you sleep. What are you thankful for today? Spend a few moments before you doze off, whispering some "thank you, God" prayers. When you wake up, try starting your day in the same way!
Psalm 100 is a wonderful reminder of how God uses worship and gratitude to help our roots in Christ grow deeper. Let's take time today to lean into these 3 steps and experience God's goodness in fresh ways together!