Daily Devotional – Sunday, March 15, 2026
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
Imagine Jesus sitting at the entrance to your church, like when he sat opposite the treasury while watching people bring their offerings (read Luke 12:41). What does He see on the faces of those coming to worship? What messages do the expressions on their faces convey?
Before You Step Inside
Does He meet with gloomy faces, scarred by the troubles of the week? Do the worshippers look like they are carrying the burdens of the whole world on their shoulders? Are people joyfully streaming through the gates, eager to meet their Maker this morning?
Thousands of years ago, the psalmist, perhaps while watching people enter the Jerusalem temple, described the attitude that the worshippers of Jehovah should have when coming into His presence. The very thought of approaching the Almighty in His house was supposed to change people’s attitudes and behaviours.
In Psalm 100, the psalmist urges us to come before God with grateful hearts while praising Him. When we remember that God is our protector and provider, joy and gratitude obscure any negative experiences we might be going through. The greatness of God dwarfs our weaknesses.
The Posture of True Worship
Worship ceases to be a weekend ritual. It becomes an ecstatic and satisfying experience that we can carry back home and into our everyday lives. Then we can attest to the Sons of Korah: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalms 84:10).
The gates to God’s presence are always open? What is your attitude as you approach Him? Why don’t you cast your burdens on Him and burst into songs of praise instead of dwelling on your misfortunes? Open your heart to God and let Him fill it with gratitude and indescribable peace today.
Prayer
Almighty God, teach me to enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise, my troubles notwithstanding.
