A Warm Greeting
As soon as I saw my friend I could see that she was in high spirits
Reference: v.2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I recently sent a little gift to a friend of mine in the mail. It wasn’t a special occasion for her, and it wasn’t a particularly expensive present, it was just an out-of-the-blue treat for someone I treasure.
The next time I saw my friend she came bounding out of her car towards me. She had a huge smile on her face and gave me an especially warm embrace to greet me.
She was so touched by my small gesture of love, and went on to tell me in full detail how much my little gift had meant to her. I was so pleased that a simple delivery had brought so much joy that she was still beaming a week or so later.
Application: As soon as I saw my friend I could see that she was in high spirits, and I knew our time together would be good. She was acting out Psalm 95 by coming before me with thanksgiving.
When I read this verse I wondered how often I come before God with thanksgiving. There are many times when I come before God with my problems and trials – and our gracious Lord helps me in times of need.
However, how often do I come before him already having thanksgiving in my heart?
When my friend came towards me I, in turn, was filled with joy, and I had only given her a small gift. God has given each one of us the greatest gift of all. And yet I wait until I’m ‘in the mood’ to bring Him thanksgiving.
This verse has encouraged me to come into a time with God with thanksgiving already in my heart so as to bring joy to God and not always be the one to receive.
Prayer: Lord, you have given me everything I need. May I make an effort to give back to you too. Amen.
How could you come before God with thanksgiving?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.