Come Into His Presence: Psalm 100


Psalm 100

 

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!


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3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

  

Authentic Worship: vv. 1-3

This psalm is often used as a call to worship. In the first three verses, the psalmist shows us that authentic worship is driven by right knowledge of God.

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“Worship, which flows from heart to life to liturgy, is based on correct knowledge of God.

Authentic worship is done with a willing heart; verse 2 says “with gladness!” Any beautiful way in which the worshiper expresses him or herself comes naturally from a heart driven by divine emotion. True worship is primarily oriented toward service: verse 2 calls us to “serve the Lord.” True worship occurs when the worshiper fills up interprets and fills the word with practical actions of loving God and people. This worship is done in daily life, and according to divine law. Finally, true worship includes song: “come into his presence with singing!” (v. 2) Because their heart is filled with joy, the worshiper’s mouth will also be filled with joy.

This worship, which flows from heart to life to liturgy, is based on correct knowledge of God. True worship begins and continues because of this true knowledge. Because we know he is the reason for our existence and we are his creation, we worship him: “the Lord, he is God!” (v. 3) Because we know he is our God and we belong to him instead of to ourselves, we worship him: “we are his.” (v. 3) Because we know we live by his salvation and provision, we worship him: “the sheep of his pasture.” (v. 3)

Enter His Courts: vv. 4-5

The reason we ought to worship the Lord is because he “is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (v. 5) The psalmist calls us to enter into God’s “gates” and “courts” and to praise him based on the beauty and goodness of the Lord’s nature.

However, to really understand what we are called to do, we must remember that, from the moment of Adam’s sin, the heavenly gates and courtyard were closed to humans. In fact, they were guarded by “cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” This demonstrates the insurmountable barrier between God and man.

God is good, and true goodness cannot allow evil to dwell with him. Therefore, for those who are not beautiful themselves, God’s goodness leads to rejection, not acceptance.

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“God is good, and true goodness cannot allow evil to dwell with him. Therefore, for those who are not beautiful themselves, God’s goodness leads to rejection, not acceptance.

Then why on earth does the psalmist call us to approach God in this way? In the New Testament, we read that something monumental happened in the temple when Jesus Christ was broken on the cross. In that moment, the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was rent in half: “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” This was highly symbolic. In that moment, Christ broke the barrier between God and humans. From that day on, the “gates” and “courts” to God’s house became open for all those who are found in Christ. This is the true basis of the psalmist’s cry.

In faith, the psalmist looked forward with prophetic vision to see what would be accomplished long after his day. In faith, the psalmist called God’s people to enter God’s presence and praise the Lord. Only those who are in Christ can walk through the open “gates” and “courts” of God’s house. And God’s goodness is revealed as mercy only to those who are in Christ.

Lee Haggai is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in Beijing. He and his wife have two children.

 

PRAYER

Lord,

Keep me from neglecting any knowledge contained in the Bible. Each of your revelations is the foundation on which I can rightfully minister. Make me understand that my life, actions, and existence depend on you. (Scripture says, “In him we live and move and have our being.”) You are the only reason I exist, live, and am human. May I always remember your creation and salvation, which drive me to offer my body to you as a living sacrifice, pleasing to you. Only when I remember these may I worship you as a whole person.

 Lord Jesus, you told us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We who are called by your name “have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” Coming into your presence to praise you each week is a costly and hard-won grace. No matter how many worship services I attend, may your Holy Spirit move me to devote myself to you in each of them with a grateful, enthusiastic heart.

   


We are using the Psalms to guide our prayers for China

In 2022, our prayer movement is turning to the scriptural prayers found in the Psalms as we pray for the Chinese church. When you join our prayer movement, you will receive weekly prayer emails and a monthly newsletter so that you too can pray for our brothers and sisters in China.

  

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Further Reading

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The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
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Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
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The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

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About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

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About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

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About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

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About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

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About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

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About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

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About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

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About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

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About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

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About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

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