ENTERING GOD'S PRESENCE 11
MEMORISE: Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalms 50:23
READ: Psalms 118:19 -21
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
MESSAGE
Yesterday we identified righteousness as a precondition to access God's presence. Once a person has clean hands and a pure heart, he or she would be able to access God's presence with thanksgiving and praises as stated in Psalm 100:4:
Enter into his gates with thanksgivings, and into his court with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.
If you try to get into His presence with complaints or even requests, the gate will not be opened to you. Only those who approach Him with thanksgiving are attended to. However, your thanksgiving will get you into His gates, but your praises will get you into His courts. Being in His courts is definitely a step higher than just getting into the gates. The keepers of the gates always check for how well you can praise God before they admit you in. If they see that you are not one who is willing to praise God, they will lock you out. David seemed to be talking to the keepers of the gate when he said in Psalm 118:19, "Open to me the gates of righteousness: l will go into them, and l will praise the LORD."
It is as though God had instructed them thus: "If anyone comes here with complaints or requests without thanksgiving or praise, don't open this gate for the fellow". I hat is why when Jesus was teaching us to pray in Luke 11:1-4, He said we are to start with, "Our Father who hath in heaven, hallowed be thy name". If you start your prayers that way, you are guaranteed access to the presence of God, where you can then present your requests.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23
Since the Father seeks true worshippers, it means that whenever you worship Him, you draw down His presence to wherever you are. Psalm 22:3 says that He inhabits the praises of His children. You won't have to fill your heart with thanksgiving and praise.
ACTION POINT
Spend at least one hour just praising God today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 141-150
HYMN 16: PRAISE HIM PRAISE HIM, OUR BLESSED REDEEMER
1 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
Sing, O earth, his wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him, hail him! Highest archangels in glory!
Strength and honor give to his holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children.
In his arms he carries them all day long.
Refrain:
Praise him! Praise him! tell of his excellent greatness.
Praise him! Praise him! ever in joyful song.
2 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
For our sins, he suffered, and bled, and died.
He our rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
hail him, hail him! Jesus, the crucified.
Sound his praises, Jesus who bore our sorrows,
love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong. [Refrain]
3 Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever!
Crown him, crown him! prophet, and priest, and king!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious.
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong. [Refrain]
