Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.
This week, we’re on a journey to discover how King David, while he was at the lowest point in his life, strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV).
It’s not like David didn’t have a care in the world when he chose to strengthen himself in the Lord. As we saw yesterday, he had quite a lot on his mind: he was the leader of an army that had just faced unimaginable losses, and his own men were so angry they wanted to stone him.
It’s easy to feel strengthened when you’re at peace, but what do you do when worries surround you?
Today’s key: go from thinking to thanking.
David said:
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. – Psalms 138:8 NKJV
It is not like David had no concerns, quite the opposite, but he trusted that God would take care of them, and he chose to be grateful instead.
David wrote many Psalms of Thankfulness; the most famous are Psalm 100, Psalm 103, and Psalm 138. David knew that giving thanks is a great way to shift your focus from your own circumstances to the God of the universe.
I encourage you to do the same! Like David said:
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. – Psalms 100:4-5
If you struggle to develop an attitude of gratitude or if today’s message has inspired you to practice thanksgiving in your own life, I have a great tool to help you get started: the Bible Reading Plan ‘Groundbreaking Gratitude’ on the YouVersion Bible App.
I am grateful for you!
