How to Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
Do you find yourself rushing through the holiday season? I know, me too.
It seems as soon as October hits, my calendar begins filling and my life begins to lack margin.
The hustle and bustle of the season rushes me from one holiday to the next without completely enjoying the one I’m in.
Even the stores participate.
Their displays of Christmas trees and lights in early October beckon me to get into the “Christmas spirit”, when I haven’t even gotten into the “Thanksgiving spirit”.
This year I wanted to slow down and actually enjoy Thanksgiving.
Not as the day before Black Friday, or the holiday that leads into Christmas, but really focus on being thankful for all that God has done.
To gain the heart of gratitude.
Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? The idea of slowing down and actually living out the reason we celebrate?
As I searched the scriptures looking for Thanksgiving verses, I came across Psalm 100:4.
This has always been one of my favorites.
But as I reread this scripture, there was a freshness I saw; a nugget in there that God wanted me to take in.
Something that would draw me into a deeper relationship with Him and a greater appreciation for Him.
Let me share with you what I saw….
How to Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving
We Enter His gates with Thanksgiving…..
The word for gates here according to Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon is the word sha`ar. It refers to an entrance to a city, marketplace or public meeting place. (Think big and open)
And His courts with praise…..
The word for courts here according to Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon is the word chatser. It is used to refer to an enclosure or a settled abode. (Think small and intimate)
What did I learn?
When we give thanks to God for all He’s done we enter into heaven’s gates. And when we praise His name for who He is, we enter into His inner court.
This is where I want my family to go…..from the outer gate to the inner courts.
I believe that when we enter into His gates with thanksgiving, it prepares the soil of our hearts to praise His name.
I long for us to dwell in His secret place, knowing Him more intimately.
But I can assure you, this does not happen without intentionality.
We will have to plan and work for it.
Everything around us will be screaming for our attention. Without a plan in place, we will succumb to those calls.
But friend, can I share a secret with you?
I’ve created a journal that me and my family will be using throughout the holiday season
The purpose of the journal is to lead us into the heart of gratitude that we desperately seek.
It’s aimed at preparing our hearts to praise His name and draw us into that inner court.
I’d love for you to join us on this journey.
You see, I don’t just want my immediate family to experience God in this way, I want my extended family, you beautiful ladies, to draw into Him as well.
I’ve had moments in those inner courts, and I long to experience them more often.
There’s nothing that soothes my soul and slows down the rushing like a private praise session with the King.
So what do you think?
Are you ready to prepare your heart for Thanksgiving (& Christmas too)? Me too! To grab your Gratitude Journal, simply click the link below:
