Psalm 97-100 -- Joyfulness, Submission, and Thankfulness

Psalm 100, it says, “sums up the emphasis on God’s sovereign rule, His goodness to His people, the responsibility of all nations to acknowledge Him, and the importance of God’s people exalting and worshipping Him…. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, the evidence of this fullness is that we are joyful, thankful, and submissive,” my commentary said.  We can see this in Psalm 100.

Joyful:

The psalmist calls for us to shout to the Lord – to praise Him.  “But our shouting ought to lead to serving Him, for He is the only true God.  Worship leads to service, and true service IS worship.  If we sing in the Spirit and with understanding, our songs are received in heaven as sacrifices to the Lord.”

Submissive:

“The word know means to know by experience … What we have experienced in our hearts we openly confess to others and bear witness of our glorious God … Jehovah is God, Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and we are submitted to him.  If the sheep do not submit to their Shepherd, they will stray into danger.”

Thankful:

“The procession of worshippers … burst out in songs of praise.  Why?  Because of the Lord’s goodness, mercy (lovingkindness), and faithfulness … From generation to generation, the Lord can be trusted.  It is significant that the fathers’ and mothers’ worship today will have an important influence on their children tomorrow.  If we are controlled by the Holy Spirit of God and the holy Word of God, we will reveal it in the way we worship God … We will be led by the Word and the Spirit to be joyful in the Lord, submissive to the Lord, and thankful to the Lord, and the world will see the difference… A spirit of thanksgiving helps us overcome some of the sins that often invade our lives.  It was when our first parents became unthankful that the human race began that terrible descent into sin and judgment … A thankful spirit is a triumphant spirit.”

Father, in spite of my circumstances today, help me to be joyful, submissive, and thankful for all You’ve done and will do in my life.  Remind me of that often today.  I need the reminders!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford