Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 27
Thursday


GLADLY!

READ:
psalm 100
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Make a joyful shout to
the LORD, all you lands!
__Psalm 100:1
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Psalm 100 is one of the great songs of thanksgiving in the Bible. It calls us to realize that we belong to God our Maker (vv.3-4), and to praise Him for His goodness, mercy, and truth (v.5).

During a recent reading, however, I was struck by a phrase that speaks of expressing thanks in a tangible, willing way: "Serve the LORD with gladness" (v.2). Many times my service to God is more grudging than glad. I do what I consider my duty, but I'm not happy about it.

Oswald Chambers put his finger on my unthankful attitude when he said "The will of God is the gladdest, brightest, most bountiful thing possible to conceive, and yet some of us talk of the will of God with a terrific sigh__'Oh well, I suppose it is the will of God,' as if His will were the most calamitous thing that could befall us.... We become spiritual whiners and talk pathetically about 'suffering the will of the Lord.' Where is the majestic vitality and might of the Son of God about that!"

True thankfulness is more than being grateful for what we possess. It's an attitude that permeates our relationship with the Lord so that we may serve Him with gladness and joy.
__David McCasland
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``````````````Then let us adore and give Him His right,`````````````
`````````````All glory and power, all wisdom and might,`````````````
`````````````All honor and blessing, with angels above,`````````````
`````````And thanks never ceasing for infinite love. __Wesley````````
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For the Christian, thanksgiving is not just a day
but a way of life.

***************** Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 100*************

1 Make a joyful shout to
the LORD, all you lands!

2 Serve the LORD with
gladness; come before His
presence with singing.

3 Know that the LORD, He is
God; it is He who has made
us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people and the
sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, and into His
courts with praise. Be
thankful to Him, and bless
his name. 5 For the LORD is
good; His mercy is
everlasting, and His truth
endures to all generations.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This psalm is one of the "enthronement psalms" (Ps. 47,93,95-
100)__psalms that declare and celebrate the sovereign rule of God.
Verse 3 presents the king as the shepherd and the people as sheep.
In the Old Testament, kings are often denoted by the shepherd
metaphor (Ps. 78:70-71; Isa. 44:28; Jer. 10:23;23:1-2; Ezek. 34:2;
Zech. 10:3). God is the Shepherd-King of the nation Israel (Ps.23:1;
80:1; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:11). The New Testament presents Jesus
as the Good Shepherd (John 10:1; Heb. 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4),
underscoring not only His pastoral role but also His Kingship__Jesus
is the Shepherd-King. __Sim Kay Tee