Bible Study - Psalm 100
- Read Psalm 100
- As we begin our Bible notes on prayer, Psalm 100 helps us think about worship and therefore about prayer. In Psalm 100 we consider two questions: How do we approach God? and who is the God we approach?
- With Psalm 100 we approach God by shouting for joy; worshipping the Lord with gladness; and coming before him with joyful songs. The idea of shouting is to declare that Jesus is Lord and to remember God's authority over us and over the earth.
- The word worship can be translated serve and therefore our service (in whatever form) is an offering to God, which should be done with gladness. The theme of coming to God is taken up in verse 4 as the psalmist imagines the people entering the Temple and praising God throughout its various areas.
- Who is the God we approach? See verses 3 & 5.
- The Old Testament constantly tells us that God is the Lord, the God who passionately cares for his chosen people, the All Powerful, the Creator, the Elector, the Covenant maker, the Preserver.
- And the New Testament goes further and tells us that this Lord is Jesus Christ, the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. He is true, reliable, trustworthy, good, always loving, - this is the God we follow.
- So, how did we approach coming to prayer/worship today? With a thankful heart looking forward to coming into his closer presence? Or is there too much else weighing us down?
- To think about
- 1. Take time to think of anything for which we are thankful; bring those thoughts to God as prayers of thanksgiving.
- 2. Give yourselves time to ponder on the nature of God highlighted in Psalm 100.
- Prayer
- Father God, as I begin this series of bible studies I ask, that with the help of your Holy Spirit, that I will come closer to you not only in my prayer life but through the way I respond to you as I read your word each day. I pray that I will be glad, joyful and thankful in all that I do. Amen.