“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise.” Psalm 100:4
Have you ever received an invitation to something so special, so exclusive, that it took your breath away? Maybe it was a wedding at a beautiful venue, a VIP event, or a private gathering with someone important. The honor of being invited, of having access to something extraordinary, likely made you feel valued and grateful.
Here’s the amazing truth – as believers, we have a standing invitation to enter into the presence of Almighty God anytime we want. You don’t need to make an appointment. No waiting in line. No physical temple required. Psalm 100:4 extends this incredible invitation: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise.”
But what exactly are these “gates” and “courts”? In ancient Israel, gates were the entrance points into the temple, the sacred space where God’s presence dwelt. Worshipers had to pass through these gates to access the holy place. The courts were the open areas within the temple complex where people would gather to worship, give thanks, and offer sacrifices. These were physical places that required a physical journey.
Today, something remarkable has changed. We don’t need to travel to a temple in Jerusalem. We don’t have to wait for special festivals or holy days. Through Christ, we have direct access to God’s presence through prayer and worship. The gates and courts are no longer made of stone. They’re entered through the posture of our hearts.
Notice the action words in this verse – enter, go, give, and praise. Four commands. Four choices we get to make. And notice who receives all this action. God is mentioned four times in this single verse. This isn’t passive; it’s an active invitation for us to pursue God’s presence with intention and thanksgiving.
Why thanksgiving? Because it prepares our hearts. It positions us to hear His voice and see His goodness. It shifts our focus from the chaos of the world to the character of our King. When we begin our time with God by thanking Him for who He is, for what He’s done, and for His never-ending faithfulness, we align our hearts with truth.
I’ll be honest, sometimes thanksgiving feels hard. During seasons of unanswered prayers, financial stress, health crises, or broken relationships, our prayers can become all petition and no praise. We rush into God’s presence with our urgent needs, forgetting to pause at the gates with gratitude. But friend, let’s make thanking God a priority, even when it’s difficult, especially when it’s difficult.
Why? Because God has done what we could never do for ourselves. He’s saved us from sin and death. He’s made us His own, sheep of His pasture, children of His heart. He’s been faithful yesterday, He’s faithful today, and He will be faithful forever. These truths don’t change based on our circumstances.
The beauty of this verse is that it reminds us of something important. Entering God’s presence is both a choice and a privilege. It’s an honor we don’t deserve but have been freely given. God is always worthy of our praise, no matter what’s happening in our lives. And when we choose to enter His gates with thanksgiving, it changes everything: our prayers, our perspective, and our peace.
So today, before you rush to God with your requests, pause at the gates. Thank Him. Praise His name. Let gratitude prepare your heart to experience His presence in a deeper, more meaningful way.
REFLECT
This week, will you commit to spending the first few minutes of your prayer time thanking God for who He is and what He’s done before bringing Him your needs? What difference might this make in how you experience His presence?
