We who are younger must give them much deference. They have earned the right to be respected. They have a wisdom that is the by-product not only from many years of learning but many years of living. They have a perspective of life that is important for the younger to know. Those who are older offer something young people cannot offer. Our culture, even when I was young, is in love with youth. Maybe it is that I am getting a little bit older. Maybe it is because I see my parents aging and the challenges that age poses for them. “My tongue will utter Your righteousness all day long.” He is saying there is no place to quit. After all the lamentation, he ends by praising God. Yet, the same God that allowed his trials had revived him to an even deeper faith and grit. The Psalmist did not have an easy life (vs. Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone is to come.” (vs.
Notice the Psalm says, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age do not forsake me when my strength fails.” Also, “Now when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me. This Psalm tells us that even as we grow older there is no time to grow apathetic. Paul tells Timothy to flee youthful lust, but he never says flee apathy. I once was told that the sin of the young man is lust and the challenge of the old man is apathy. O Lord, You are good, and with all my heart I give you thanks. Words fail to express what His love and sacrifice means to me. You have filled my life with blessings abundant – the greatest being Your Son – His life, His death, His resurrection. Because of You I live and exist, I was fearfully and wonderfully made – You had me in Your mind before my time began. Lord of all the Earth, everlasting Creator, merciful Shepherd – all the paper in the world couldn’t contain the list of reasons I am thankful for You, for who You are and what You have done. Lord I give You thanks because…Įntering His courts… entering into a new week, into a new day, with thanksgiving in our hearts! How would you finish that statement? How long would your list be of what God has done for you? It would be a good exercise for today – take a moment and finish the statement above in prayer. Thankfulness is being able to answer this statement, “Because of God…”. When was the last time I stopped and expressed my thankfulness – that I verbalized the words, “Lord…thank You.” Some may say, “Saying thanks, well, it goes without being said.” Sadly that’s true. Thankfulness stems from the attitude of gratitude. Ephesians 5:20 says we should give thanks always, and for everything. He reminds us that God is our Creator, our Shepherd, the giver of every good thing, our faithful and merciful Lord. Psalm 100 is all about expressing thanks to the Lord. Worship helps us magnify the Lord – to see Him more clearly, more greatly, than before. Worship helps us stay focused on the things that matter the most. We express the joy, the thanksgiving, the glory and importance of God in our lives. The Old Testament language is “offering” or “sacrifice.” We offer our words, our hearts, our focused attention, our sincere admiration to God. Isn’t that a great thought – worshipping on their way to worship! Rather than coming into the courts of the Lord (the place of worship) with complaints and criticism, with bitterness and resentment, with yawns and boredom, they enter into the courts with thanksgiving in their hearts and praise on their lips! It is said that Israel would sing psalms such as this one as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple.