Pastor’s Note

“Worship”

Psalm 100

Psalm 100 may be short, but it has a lot to say about worship. In just a few verses, the psalmist gives us seven imperatives or invitations that teach us how to worship God: declare victory, serve others, come into His presence, know God by studying His Word, bring thanksgiving and praise, give thanks, and bless His name. Worship is not meant to be passive. It calls for our participation, our gratitude, our joy, and ultimately, our whole selves.

But perhaps the most important word in the entire psalm comes at the beginning of the final verse: “For.” After telling us how to worship, the psalmist tells us why: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

We worship not because everything in our lives is good, but because God is good. We give thanks not because every prayer has been answered the way we hoped, but because God’s steadfast love endures forever. And we praise not because we have always been faithful to God, but because God has always been faithful to us.

That is the heart of worship. Our praise is a response to who God is. His goodness, love, and faithfulness have sustained generations before us, they sustain us today, and they will remain for generations yet to come.

So, people of God, come and worship, for the Lord is good!

 Grace and peace,

Pastor Margaret