”Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” - (Psalm 100:4)
Why do we worship? I could list a host of reasons, but I would like to just focus on one: worship allows us to enter the presence of God.
When we read Psalm 100, we usually think that we should be praising God as we enter into His presence. But what if the Scripture is saying something slightly different? What if thanksgiving and praise are the means by which we enter into God’s presence? What if they are the key that unlocks the throne room?
The Bible says that God inhabits (or is enthroned on) the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3, KJV, ESV). When we worship fully, in spirit and in truth as Christ said (John 4:24), when we sing with our spirits and sing with our minds also (1 Corinthians 14:15), when we sing and make music from our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19), we enter into the presence of God. This is not to say that there is a special formula, music style, song, or order of worship that we can do to ensure that God will “show up” during our worship service. It is a matter of our heart. As God has promised, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Do you want to experience God this Sunday? Answer carefully, and examine your heart before you do. Do you really want to be in God’s presence? Worship Him with all your heart, and you will be there!
In Christ,
Amy Smith