Listen to David…
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
(Psalm 95:1-2)
This text is one of the more widely-read passages that relate to Thanksgiving. The word is right there in the middle of v2, after all. My attention, however, is on the implied parts of the text. For example, the text commands us to sing to God, to make a joyful noise, and to come before His presence. But who are we? What gives us the right to approach the all-powerful Maker and Master of the universe? Where do we get off thinking God would even enjoy listening to our songs, or that He would even want to have us stand in His presence? These seem like very presumptuous and pretentious ideas!
Except no.
What gives us the right to sing to God or to approach His throne (with thanksgiving)? God does! God made us. God loves us. God wants to hear from us. We owe God our eternal gratitude for all that He has done for us, so the question isn’t “what gives us the right to go to Him with songs of thanksgiving?” but rather, why wouldn’t we take advantage of His invitation to do so?
I hope to see you all this Lord’s Day morning, where we will approach the throne of God and sing our praises to Him. The sermon is simply titled: “Give Thanks.” I hope you’ll be there to do just that. See you then.
~Matthew