Intro: God has generously poured within us [grace] everything we will ever need as worshipers of the Most High. There is nothing we lack if we are focused on worshiping the Lord. In our passage today, the psalmist—worship leader—instructs us to serve and worship the Lord with gladness. Did you know gladness is the sign of a servant heart?
It is alway a blessing to worship with my spiritual family; I feel secure and joyful. Therefore, I exuberantly express my gratitude and joy when we sing praises and when we open the Word of God. I cannot contain the excitement and joy I feel in worship; it just spills out because I know I am His!
When we know we belong to God, that knowledge permeates how we think and marks our actions and words. We are not worshiping others around us; people do not deserve our worship. Instead, we are joyfully focused on exalting the Lord for his goodness and grace extended to us. Joy is a choice and worshipers should be joyful people.
Psalm 100 A psalm of thanksgiving
1
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Prayer: Lord I will enter your presence with joy and thanksgiving, because I recognize your sovereign right to rule your world. You made me; I am yours. So, hear my praise and receive my love today in Jesus’ name. Amen.